13-year-old remembered as ‘kind and generous’; Teen killed in hunting accident

The 13-year-old was hunting squirrels with a friend on private land when the friend accidentally shot him, according to S.C. Department of Natural Resources Director of Public Information Greg Lucas.

On Monday, Cameron’s parents talked about their son and their special memories of him.

The Dorchester Academy eighth-grader loved to hunt and fish like no other, his parents said.

His mother, Penny Wagers Connor, said her late son “Absolutely loved hunting and fishing. He lived for fishing. Our family has a family pond and he was so happy there.”

“We joked that he could put a hook in the water and a fish would get it,” she said.

“He danced to the beat of his own drum. Always happy and smiling,” she added.

“He was very personable and loved life. He never met a stranger. He was friendly and kindhearted and loved his family,” she said.

“He was just overall a really good kid. He would do anything for anybody,” she said.

She noted that Cameron especially loved spending time with his 13-year-old cousin, Jailey Herndon of Harleyville.

The pair often fished together.

“She was his sidekick,” Penny said.

Cameron’s dad, Marshall Connor, said he was “Just a happy-go-lucky kid. He loved nothing more than being out in the woods hunting and fishing – just being a country kid.”

Someone once told Marshall they, “just wished they could find something to love as much as Cameron loved to fish.”

“He loved helping others. He was a kind and generous kid,” Marshall said.

Cameron was passionate about encouraging others who felt down and sad.

Cameron played baseball and football at Dorchester Academy.

Last year, he scored his first touchdown.

He returned a blocked punt 40 yards for a touchdown, his dad said.

Marshall said his son was faithful and loved God.

When Cameron was 4 years old, he attended Northwoods Academy where he learned many songs of praise.

“We heard him singing, ‘Bless the Lord, O my Soul’ from his bathroom at the top of his lungs,” his dad said. He recorded his son’s spontaneous solo and cherishes it even more now.

Cameron’s parents said he dreamed of one day being an officer with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources or a fishing guide.

He also leaves behind his stepmom, Kelly Connor, and brothers Bryson, 17, and Finnley, 5.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been scheduled.

SCDNR continues to investigate the accident.