Thayer v. Washington County School District

Justice DURHAM,

opinion of the Court:

INTRODUCTION

T1 This case arises from a lawsuit in federal district court over the death of fifteen-year-old Tucker Thayer. In that suit, Tucker's parents allege that Washington County School District officials were negligent when they allowed a gun loaded with blank cartridges to be used in a school musical production, resulting in their son's death. The school district asserts governmental immunity from these claims.

12 Because the school district's argument raises a novel issue of state law, the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah certified the…