Teen remembers girlfriend killed in accidental shooting

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Kendall Downing

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. - Funeral arrangements are now complete for a southern Illinois teen whom authorities said was accidentally shot to death over the weekend.

14-year-old Ashley Jackson died after being shot at a relative's home in rural Freeman Spur, Illinois on Saturday. Freeman Spur covers parts of both Williamson and Franklin Counties.

Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones tells Local 6 the investigation's almost wrapped up, and there's no evidence to indicate foul play so charges are highly unlikely. However for now Jones wouldn't comment on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, like who pulled the trigger or what went wrong.

Jackson was a freshman at Zeigler-Royalton High School. Friends and her boyfriend, 15-year-old Dustin Barnett are preparing to say goodbye.

"Nothing's going to ever be the same," Barnett said.

Barnett had his eye on Jackson for about a year. The two started dating last month. He was talking to her the morning she died.

"Eight in the morning, I just texted her good morning and she had texted me back," he said.

Barnett said Ashley went to her aunt's house in Freeman Spur. They messaged back and forth for a while, but then everything stopped.

"I knew something was wrong. I texted her like four times asking if she was ok," he said.

He made it to Herrin Hospital and went in to see Ashley one final time. That's when it all became real.

"I went back in the room, and I just couldn't. It hurt so bad," he said.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but Barnett said he won't have to because he will always keep Ashley in his heart.

"She always told me she'd be with me," he said.

Visitation for Ashley Jackson is from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday night at the Church of the Nazarene in Royalton, Illinois.

The funeral is the next day at the church at 11 a.m. The family will also receive friends at the church that morning.

A memorial scholarship fund has been set up at the Herrin Security Bank in Royalton. The family asks for contributions to that fund in lieu of flowers.