We are utterly heartbroken to inform you of a profound tragedy. Hunter Trey Hoover was taken from us far too soon. The 17 year old cherished resident of Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, and proud student at Preston High School in Preston County, passed away on March 29, 2026, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown following a gunshot accident.
His sudden death has left his family, friends, classmates, and the tight-knit communities of Bruceton Mills and Kingwood in deep sorrow, as they struggle to comprehend the loss of a young man whose bright spirit and kind heart had already touched so many lives in his short time with them.
Hunter was described by friends as an amazing person who always made everyone smile. He had a natural talent for comedy and an open heart that made friends easily. One friend remembered how he always knew what to say to lighten the mood and had a way of making people feel like they belonged.
Another highlighted his high energy in the mornings, the goofy faces he made in class, the way he didn’t care what people thought of him, and how he never failed to make them laugh no matter how bad of a day they had. He was known as a sincere, respectful, kind-hearted, and supportive young man who was quick with a joke but also a good listener who knew how to uplift and encourage friends who were struggling.
Born and raised in the Bruceton Mills area, Hunter was a vibrant and cheerful kid with many interests that he was knowledgeable about, such as cars, music, and clothing. He enjoyed spicy food like Takis or General Tso chicken and was planning to graduate from Preston High School in May.
He was looking forward to getting a job so he could save up to buy his first car. His family and friends remember him as a bright spark that lit up the world around him and the lives of the people he loved, always bringing joy and a positive outlook to those around him.
The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, March 29, 2026, when Hunter suffered a gunshot accident that led to his death at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. No further details on the exact circumstances have been released beyond the obituary description of it as a “gunshot accident.”
Preston County Schools announced his passing that evening, noting that counselors and support staff would be available at the high school for students and staff to talk with. The loss comes at a particularly difficult time for his family, who have faced previous hardships, including the murder of his father in 2020 and a house fire last summer.
In the days since the tragedy, the Preston County community has come together to support Hunter’s family and share memories of his kindness and the way he made others feel valued. Friends, teachers, and neighbors have highlighted his loving nature and the positive impact he had on those around him, turning individual grief into a collective space of remembrance and gratitude for the time they had with him.
His mother has been raising her children with strong values of respect and perseverance, and the outpouring of love from the community reflects how deeply Hunter was woven into the fabric of daily life in Bruceton Mills and Kingwood.
Hunter Trey Hoover will be remembered as a vibrant, kind-hearted young man whose laughter, respect, and genuine care for others left a lasting light in the lives of his family, friends, and classmates at Preston High School. Though his time with us ended far too soon after the gunshot accident, the joy and warmth he brought to those around him continue to inspire those who knew him to live with the same open-hearted spirit and love that defined his beautiful 17 years.
