Crisis teams and members of the Vinton Ministerial Association have been working with staff at Vinton-Shellsburg High School all day today as they help students deal with their emotions following the accidental shooting of a VSHS freshman Tuesday night in Vinton.

A press release from the Vinton Police Departments indicates that shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday, the VPD and North Benton Ambulance were dispatched to 1207 W. 4th Street for a report of a teenager who had suffered a gunshot wound. Officers learned that another teenager had been handling a .22 caliber rifle, when the weapon discharged, its bullet striking a female in the head.

The victim, Emma Redlinger, 14, was treated at the scene and transported to Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton. She was then transferred by LifeGuard helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. She remains there, in critical condition.

The Vinton Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. There never was any threat to the public and the investigation continues.