14-year-old Denim Bradshaw was killed at a rodeo in North Carolina on January 28, 2023. It was reported to be Denim’s first time riding a bull.

A 14-year-old boy died after he rode a bull at a rodeo for the first time in his life and went iynto cardiac arrest, officials and his family said.

The rider, whom the event organizers identified on Facebook as Denim Bradshaw, died after having ridden a bull at the Rafter K. Rodeo Winter Series at American Legion Post 290 in King, North Carolina, on Saturday, officials said.

His sister wrote on a GoFundMe page for his funeral expenses that it was the first bull he had ever ridden at a rodeo.

Emergency personnel responded to a call for cardiac arrest around 8:24 p.m. local time, Stokes County Emergency Services Director Brandon Gentry told NBC.

 Denim was riding a bull when he experienced cardiac arrest, and he died later at the hospital, Gentry said.

It remained unclear what prompted the health emergency.

“This is a tragic event and words cannot describe the pain felt by this loss,” Rafter K. Rodeo Co. wrote on Facebook.

Denim’s mother, Shannon Bowman, shared her heartbreak on Facebook on Sunday.

“Last night was the longest night of my life!!” she wrote. “My beautiful handsome 14 year old son had went to be with the lord! I awoke in a nightmare for the rest of my life!

“I hate myself for this call but he was loving every second of it I never seen him so happy as I had seen him last night before his departure.

“Denim baby you did it!!” she continued. “You did that!! I’m so proud of your braveness and your courage! My lil cowboy I will love and miss you so much and I know God will take care of you.”

A GoFundMe page that appears to have been set up by his sister, Persephone Bowman, shared more details about his life, including his dream of becoming a police officer.