Community mourns teen

PRIEST RIVER — When Tony Lamanna thinks about Billy Clark, the image of a smiling, happy 16-year-old comes to mind.

"He called me Grandpa," said Lamanna, resource officer in the West Bonner County School District. "I feel just like I've lost a member of my family."

Clark, a sophomore at Priest River Lamanna High School, was killed in a hunting accident Monday afternoon in the West Branch Road area north of Priest River.

He had taken the day off school to go hunting with a high school buddy and his uncle, Bob Clark. According to reports, the teenage friend slipped and his gun went off.

Bonner County deputies arrived at the scene off Highway 57, where Clark was pronounced dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Lt. Gary Johnston said the preliminary investigation indicates it will be classified as an accidental shooting.

Clark, a lifelong resident of Priest River, was known for his constant smile and carefree attitude. Officials met before school Tuesday and had a counseling team on hand for students.

The halls of Priest River Lamanna High School were somber Tuesday morning as students and staff alike learned of the death of one of their own.

In a small close-knit community such as Priest River, the loss of a child strikes the heart strings of everyone.

PRLHS principal Ray Stookey said the phone calls began flooding in before the first bell even rang and people were sharing their concern and asking what they could do to help.

"This is such a difficult thing. We met this morning and teachers were informed to watch kids and a brief statement was announced to the students about the tragedy," Stookey said. "A lot of kids have left school because it's a hard place to be today. They're experiencing a lot of grief and it's very difficult for them to realize what has happened.

"Everyone can put themselves in the position of the family and our heart goes out to them. It's an awful thing to deal with in life and it is certainly a challenge at this time.

Stookey was also football coach for Clark and said he was undoubtedly the most improved player this season and even though he saw himself as junior varsity player he played as a Spartan varsity player for the last two games of the season.

"I got to know him on a different level as the football coach. He was a treasure to have him on the team. In the beginning he wasn't sure he even wanted to play football because he was busy with the 4-H fair. He was a great player," Stookey added. "It isn't fair and it's a real loss to all of us."