LINEVILLE, Ala. (AP) - A weekend hunting accident claimed the life of an assistant principal in Clay County.

The county coroner said 39-year-old Charles Gerald Elliott Jr. died when his shotgun accidentally discharged, hitting him in the chest. Coroner Dale Rush said it happened early Saturday.

He said investigators believe Elliott tried to climb over a barbed-wire fence and slipped, causing the weapon to fire. But Rush said the exact sequence of events may never be known. Elliott was turkey hunting at the time of the accident.

He had served as the assistant principal at Lineville Elementary School and Lineville High School.

Clay County Schools Superintendent Ben Griffin said schools will close at noon today to allow students and faculty to attend Elliott's funeral.

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