(GoFundMe photo)

A 16-year-old Dos Pueblos High School student passed away on his birthday from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound in Santa Barbara.

Kaiden Vague was at the Glass Factory, an open area approved for target shooting by the Los Padres National Forest off E. Camino Cielo Road, when he accidentally shot himself around 1:00 p.m. on February 15th, just one day before his 16th birthday. Roger the Scanner Guy's initial scanner report state he was with his father and brother at the time of the incident.

A CALstar helicopter responded to the scene, airlifting Vague to Cottage Hospital where he died the next day. His family opted to donate his organs.

Vague's family friend and behavioral therapist Gwen Stephen created a Gofundme page to help his family with funeral and medical expenses.

"Kaiden lived his life to the fullest. He was adventurous. He was funny. He had the kindest heart, and would reach out to help anyone in need.... He had high functioning autism, and boy was he proud of it. His family created and still runs a non-profit organization for individuals with disabilities called Softin Inc. They are an integral part of the autism community, and take kids out on the ocean on their charter boat," wrote Stephen.

Vague is survived by his mother Tiffany, father Shaun, sister Vivy (20), two brothers John (almost 14) and Shaun Jr. (12), and his maternal grandparents.

A donation can be made to the family here.

Past Articles

February 15, 2018 - Shooting at Glass Factory