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>> AN UPSTATE TEEN LOST HIS LIFE IN AN ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING IN OCONEE COUNTY. DEPUTIES SAYS 17-YEAR-OLD EDWARD EASTMEAD THE FIFTH WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD. THEY SAY IT HAPPENED WHILE VISITING A FRIEND LAST NIGHT IN MOUNTAIN REST. DEPUTIES SAY EDWARD WAS HANDLING A HANDGUN WHEN IT WENT OFF. HE WAS A STUDENT AT WALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL. GRIEF COUNSELORS AND PASTORS WERE O

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Advertisement Upstate teen dies in accidental shooting at friend's home in Mountain Rest, deputies say Edward Lee Eastmead V, 17, died at the scene, coroner says Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Oconee County Coroner's Office on Friday identified a teenager who died in an accidental shooting in Mountain Rest a day earlier.Coroner Karl Addis said Edward Lee Eastmead V, 17, of Walhalla, died of a gunshot injury to the head.Dispatchers got a call at 7:58 p.m. about the shooting on Trillium Drive, Addis said.Eastmead was shot while he was visiting a friend at the home, according to Addis.Master Deputy Jimmy Watt, with the Oconee County Sheriff's Office, said Eastmead was handling a handgun when it discharged.Investigators are calling it an accidental shooting.The handgun was owned by someone living at the house, Watt said.Addis pronounced Eastmead dead at the scene.Eastmead was a student at Walhalla High School, according to Oconee County School District officials. The school had counselors and local pastors available Friday to help students with their grief, officials said.Walhalla High School principal Steve Garrett released this statement about Eastmead, who was called "Lee" by his family and friends:“Lee was an outgoing, likeable student with lots of friends. His presence will be deeply missed by our student body and staff alike. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him."Sheriff Mike Crenshaw released the following best practices that his deputies follow when handling guns: Always treat all firearms as if they were loaded. Always point a firearm in a safe direction. Always keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to fire. Always be sure of your target, backstop and beyond.