LEWIS COUNTY, Washington — A 12-year-old boy is fighting to recover from a gunshot wound that left him paralyzed — and for weeks, the public knew nothing about it.
Myles Beardsley was shot in the neck on the night of April 4 while spending the night at a friend’s house in Lewis County.
He was airlifted to MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where doctors fought to save his life.
A Nine-Hour Surgery to Save His Spine
Three days after the shooting, on April 7, Myles underwent a nine-hour emergency surgery.
Surgeons worked to relieve pressure on his spinal cord, remove damaged bone fragments, and stabilize his neck and upper spine.
Despite their efforts, the injuries left Myles paralyzed from the neck down.
He was later moved to Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he spent a total of 38 days in a pediatric intensive care unit before being transferred to a recovery room.
Sheriff’s Office Stayed Silent for Weeks
What makes this story even harder to understand is what did not happen after the shooting.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office never publicly announced it.
No press release. No alert to the community. Nothing — until The Chronicle newspaper sent an email asking about it.
Special Services Chief Gabriel Frase confirmed on May 8 that investigators know who had the gun when it fired. He said there is no ongoing danger to the public.
Though Frase did not name the shooter, multiple sources indicated it was another child — a friend of Myles.
The case remains under active investigation as of this week.
This silence is not unusual for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The agency has a documented pattern of not publicly disclosing incidents that result in serious injury or death.
Family Turns to Community for Help
While investigators work the case quietly, Myles’ family is dealing with the daily reality of his recovery — and the financial weight that comes with it.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to support the family has raised $11,955 from 113 donors, nearing its $13,000 goal.
The funds are meant to help cover medical bills, meals, gas, parking, lodging, and the long road of rehabilitation that lies ahead 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 wrote on the page.
“Every bit of support helps us stay focused on what matters most: helping our son heal.”
A Community Rallying Around One Family
Myles’ story is still unfolding. His recovery will be long, and the questions surrounding what happened that night in Lewis County are far from fully answered.
But one thing is clear — the community has not looked away, even when official channels went quiet.
If you would like to support Myles and his family, the GoFundMe campaign is still active and accepting donations.
Do you think the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office should have informed the public sooner? Share your thoughts in the comments — this conversation matters.
