A 17-year-old mistook his friend for a deer and shot him while hunting in Charlotte County, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Two teenage boys went hunting Friday around 5:20 p.m. on private property on Mt. Carmel Road in Charlotte County. While hunting, a 17-year-old boy mistook his friend for a deer and shot him.

The 16-year-old boy who was shot was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the medical examiner’s office in Richmond.

According to the VDGIF, the two boys were good friends. They were both wearing orange to stand out and had appropriate hunting licenses.

The 17-year-old is from Cullen. The 16-year-old is from Phenix.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department and the Campbell County Volunteer Rescue Squad assisted in the incident.

The investigation is ongoing.