Campaign seeks support for child shot in Lewis County

May 15-A GoFundMe supporting the recovery of a child shot in Lewis County is nearing its $13,000 goal.

As of Friday, the fundraiser had raised $11,955 from 113 donations.

According to the online page, 12-year-old Myles Beardsley was "shot in the neck while spending the night at a friend's house."

The incident occurred April 4, but until an email from The Chronicle, the Lewis County Sheriff's Office had not publicly announced the shooting or any associated details.

Following the shooting, Myles was airlifted to MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital and then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

On April 7, Myles underwent a nine-hour emergency surgery, according to the fundraiser.

"Doctors worked to relieve pressure on his spinal cord, remove damaged bone, and stabilize his neck and upper spine to give him the best possible chance at healing," the page said.

His injuries left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Myles was later transferred to Seattle Children's Hospital. According to family, he spent a total of 38 days in a pediatric intensive care unit before being transferred to a recovery room.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office last week confirmed they were investigating the shooting of a child that occurred the evening of April 4.

Special Services Chief Gabriel Frase told The Chronicle on May 8 that investigators know who possessed the gun when it fired, and said there was no danger to anyone else.

As of Friday, the case remains under active investigation.

Though Frase did not say who shot the gun, multiple people indicated it was a friend of Myles.

The online fundraiser seeks to help Myles' family cover medical-related expenses, meals, gas and transportation, parking, lodging, and basic needs, as well as future rehabilitation for Myles.

"If you are able to donate, share, or keep Myles in your thoughts and prayers, it would mean more than we can ever express," the family said. "Every bit of support helps us stay focused on what matters most: helping our son heal."

To view the fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-myles-journey-to-recovery.

The lack of a release of information about the shooting fits a longstanding trend from the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, which frequently does not announce incidents resulting in significant injuries or death.

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