Tragic Accident Takes Holbrook Girl’s Life

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   Emilia Padilla-Luna of Holbrook, the daughter of Amber Padilla and Adam Luna, was the victim of an accidental shooting on Monday, June 22, just one day before her sixth birthday.
   According to the Iron County Sheriff’s Office in Utah, Emilia was celebrating her birthday at her grandmother’s house in Beryl, Utah, when the accident occurred.
   Sheriff Mark   Gower ex-plained that several adults were outside the residence when Emilia and a girl about her age went into a bedroom in the home where a .22 rifle was located.
   “They found the firearm under the bed,” Gower noted. “The two little girls were in the room at the time it discharged.”
   According to Gower, it is still unclear how the gun discharged.
   Gower’s department received a 911 call at approximately 9:30 p.m. stating that a juvenile had been shot and was being transported by private vehicle to the hospital. The vehicle was met en route by an ambulance, and Emilia was transported to Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City, Utah, where she was pronounced dead.
   According to Gower, Emilia likely succumbed to the gunshot almost immediately.
   “Death was fairly instantaneous due to the angle and the trajectory,” he explained.
   Gower also noted that the investigation determined that the shooting was accidental.
   “It was definitely an accident,” he said, “a very tragic accident.”
   A memorial fund has been set up at Wells Fargo bank in Holbrook in Emilia’s name. Those wishing to donate do not need an account number, but can advise the teller that they wish to make a contribution to the Emilia Padilla-Luna fund.