8-year-old was 'everyone's friend'

PERKINS TWP. — An 8-year-old killed in an accidental shooting on Saturday was a quiet boy who valued kindness and friendship.Perkins police identified the boy killed in Saturday's fatal accidental shooting in Perkins Township as Benjamin LeGresley, of Port Clinton.LeGresley was a second-grade student at Bataan Elementary in Port Clinton and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, according to his obituary. LeGresley loved Mickey Mouse, superheroes — especially the Hulk, since green was his favorite color — and loved to dress up in costume.He also knew what he wanted to be when he grew up."When (Benjamin) was 3-years-old, he told his mom he wanted to be a soldier and a police officer," his obituary states.LeGresley's obituary said that while he could be shy, he loved going to school and making new friends. That sentiment was echoed by Pat Adkins, superintendent at Port Clinton City Schools."Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Ben was a wonderful, very quiet and shy young man," Adkins said. "According to his teachers and principal, he was everyone's friend."LeGresley was a member of Bataan's "Humble and Kind" group, a student organization that "teaches kids how to model kindness (and) respect," Adkins said.Adkins said that counselors from area schools were brought into Bataan on Monday."We had plenty of support not just for students, but staff," he said. "This was tragic for the teaching staff as well."Adkins said the school district has been working with LeGresley's family and that his classmates plan to write a "memory book" filled with letters about Benjamin to LeGresley's family."He will be deeply missed by his loving family and friends at school," his obituary states.A visitation for LeGresley will be 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church on Friday. His funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday, also at the church, who will be collecting memorial contributions.Police investigationLaw enforcement is still trying to determine how the shooting occurred. While they've called the shooting accidental, police did charge a 13-year-old with second-degree felony felonious assault.Police have not said how the child was able to access a weapon, or who owned the weapon. Assistant Perkins police Chief Vince Donald said his agency is working to arrange an interview with the 13-year-old.Reach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterBenjamin LeGresley