HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — On Thursday morning, a large procession honored a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who was killed in an accidental shooting in Hawaii.
A massive show of support for Special Agent John Bost III, 41, could be seen from Chopper 9 Skyzoom as his hearse made its way up Interstate 77 in Huntersville.
The shooting happened last month inside a Hawaii police station where Bost worked, authorities said. Officials said Bost was killed when a rifle accidentally went off on July 28 inside the Kīhei police station on Maui.
Channel 9 learned Bost had been working closely with the Maui Police Department since 2015 as an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He worked as a CMPD officer for about five years before joining the ATF in 2005.
Bost, who is a Huntersville-native, is survived by his parents and will be laid to rest with full honors Friday.
“John had been a well-respected, hardworking member of Charlotte’s law enforcement community and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and our condolences go out to all those who had the opportunity to work alongside John,” an ATF spokesperson said.
Investigators have not said what caused the gun to go off, only that it has been ruled an accident. The gun was being stored inside the station.
The ATF, Maui Police Department and the Maui Medical Examiner’s office are investigating.
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