‘The truth does matter’: Mother of Newberry teen killed during hunting trip seeks new investigation

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -The mother of a Newberry teenager killed during a hunting trip in 2024 says she does not believe the findings of an investigation into his death, and she wants the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to take a look at the case.

Malachi Lancaster, 18, was killed on Dec. 8, 2024, while hunting with a friend in southwest Gainesville along Williston Road. Florida Fish and Wildlife investigators say Malachi was holding a rifle as he moved through brush, which caught on the trigger and caused the gun to fire.

Mother questions findings

Sophie Lancaster, Malachi’s mother, said she does not believe her son was the last person to touch the rifle.

“They have left us with no closure,” Sophie Lancaster said.

Investigators ruled Malachi’s death an accident. His death certificate lists the manner of death as undetermined.

“I have a focus on the system that has failed my family from the local level to the state level,” Sophie Lancaster said.

“Now you have to step into being an investigator yourself,” Sophie Lancaster said.

Community response

Sophie Lancaster said she has seen people posting “Justice for Malachi” online without her family’s involvement.

“Within the last couple of months, without our involvement, I saw people posting, ‘Justice for Malachi.’ I saw that it’s not affecting just my family, but it’s affecting so many families out there,” Sophie Lancaster said.

Malachi’s cousin, Elijah, now wears Malachi’s No. 22 jersey while playing football for Newberry High School.

A petition is circulating asking the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to review Malachi’s case.

“The truth does matter, and Malachi definitely 100% mattered,” Sophie Lancaster said.

Sophie Lancaster said she hopes people sign the petition. TV20 asked FDLE whether they will review this case, but we have not yet received a response.

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