WHEELOCK- Lyndon Institute students were released early this morning when school headmaster, Rick Hilton notified them that they had lost a beloved classmate. 17 year old Jacob Kadamus was killed early this morning in hunting accident when his father accidentally shot him. A preliminary investigation revealed that Jacob had apparently left his original hunting area and crossed into his father's unknowingly. Kevin Kadamus discharged his gun shooting at what he believed to be a turkey, but instead struck his son.

Below is video of Captain Ed Ledo of The Vermont State Police, answering questions about the incident.

Upon issuing an early release, Hilton sent students home with a letter informing them of the incident.

L.I. Headmaster Rick Hilton’s Remarks at Assembly on May 1, 2009:

You know that we have promised to keep you properly informed about the events concerning this academic community, whether the news is good or bad, triumphant or tragic.  Well, I am afraid that I have some bad news to share with you, some very bad news, about a member of this community.

When we have bad news to share with you, we do not want you to bear it alone.  Counselors from the school and from off campus are ready to talk with you in the new library downstairs in the Main Building.  If your parents want to come to campus and take you home, they can sign you out.  Otherwise, we want you to be with others you know and trust, so our regular class schedule will be in operation so that you are not facing this alone.

I want you to keep Jake and his family in your thoughts and prayers.  I want you also to be very attentive, sensitive, patient, compassionate, and supportive with one another.  Being a member of a close-knit community like LI means that we share both the good and the bad, celebrating one another during times of triumph and supporting one another during times of tragedy.

I am sure that we will honor Jake’s memory in many ways in the weeks and years ahead.  Right now, the best we can do is to help his classmates, teammates, and friends through this time of loss.  You need one another more than ever at a time like this.  Every day of life is a precious gift that each of us should receive gratefully and share generously with those around us.  So that you are with one another—or with someone else who can help you through this time, when you leave here you go to your regular third-period class, or to the library to talk with a counselor, or to the cafeteria if your parents will come to pick you up in person.  You can call from the cafeteria.  You cannot just leave on your own, because we want to be sure that you are with others you know and trust.

You know that we will do all that we can to take very good care of you and you help you honor Jake’s memory.  I know that he and his family will be in your thoughts and prayers.  He and his family will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.  And you will also be in my thoughts and prayers.