Obituaries
Funeral Arrangements Planned for Athens Teen Shot By Pellet Gun
A memorial service will take place Saturday for 15-year-old Jose Antonio "Tony" Rivera.
Two days after what authorities called a tragic accident in Oconee County, 15-year-old Jose Antonio "Tony" Rivera of Athens died.
The Clarke Central High School student and two friends had been shooting cans with a pellet rifle Monday at Pinewood Estates South trailer park when in the head, according to the Oconee County Sheriff's Office. Rivera was taken to Athens Regional Medical Center and placed on life support.
Chief Deputy Lee Weems of the Oconee County Sheriff's Office said Rivera was pronounced brain dead on Wednesday, and his organs have been donated.
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"We will await the results of the autopsy before making a final determination in the case," Weems wrote in an email, "but at this point all indications are that it was an accident."
Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Chapel with funeral services set to begin at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. Read the full obituary and leave condolences for the family online.
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The Athens Banner-Herald has more on Rivera's life and death.