• Firearm-related incident took life of 16-year-old Diamondville boy
Residents around Kemmerer and Diamondville are rallying around a local family after a horrific tragedy took the life of a 16-year-old Diamondville resident. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred west of Kemmerer on Elk Mountain on Thursday, October 1. Deputies were called to the scene at 6:55 p.m.
“The firearm related accident resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy from Diamondville,” stated Sheriff Johnson. “The accident investigation is ongoing and there will be no further information released at this time. We ask that the public be mindful of the families in this incredibly difficult time.”
The boy has since been identified by family members as Austin Stiles, the oldest son of four children and a person described as “the sweetest kid” who had a silly sense of humor and big plans for his life.
“He loved wrestling and had a passion for it,” Austin’s mother, Ashley, told Cowboy State Daily. “He always wanted to be either an MMA fighter or a WWE superstar. He was amazing. A great big brother.”
Friends of the family have created a Facebook auction group titled “Auction for Austin.” In the group, businesses and community members have donated services and items. Members of the group bid on the items with proceeds going towards funeral and other expenses related to Austin’s passing.
The incident that took Austin’s life hits even harder for the family as it was the second family tragedy in less than a week. On September 30, the day before the hunting accident, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at an Opal residence. Stiles confirmed that the man involved in that incident was her father.
According to Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson, the male survived. He and a female who was also in the home were both transported for medical treatment. While the two incidents have family connections, both occurred on separate days and are unrelated.
Funeral services for Austin will took place on Thursday, October 8, in the South Lincoln Training & Event Center. The family requested those attending to wear purple, as it was Austin’s favorite color.
