A 15-year-old girl was killed Monday night in Jefferson County during a youth hunt, authorities said.

Sheriff's deputies responded just after 5 p.m. on a report of a shooting in the area of Valley Ford Road and Buford Road in the Adger community, said Chief Deputy Randy Christian. Once on the scene, they found the teen girl suffering from a gunshot wound.

She was rushed to a Birmingham area hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Christian said information at the scene is that the teen and an adult family friend had been on a youth hunt at the location. As they were preparing to leave, the girl climbed down out of the tree stand. As the friend was passing her rifle down, it discharged and the teen was struck.

The investigation indicates the shooting was a tragic accident, Christian said. The name of the teen is being withheld pending notification of her family.

"We will take a thorough look at everything because that's our responsibility but sometimes tragedy and heartbreak comes unexpected, purely by accident, without blame or explanation,'' Christian said. "Now is the time to pray for and comfort a devastated family. Our hearts and prayers are with them".