The minor was identified as 17 year old, Joshua Hampton Hoehn of Pioneer. According the Amador County Unified School District Hoehn was a senior at Independence High School, having transferred recently to the continuation high school from Amador High School. Amador Sheriff's Deputies and Investigation Bureau personnel began investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

It was determined that at between 10:30 pm and 11:15 hours, Hoehn was at the Argonaut High School Winter Formal which was being held in Sutter Creek.  Hoehn and another seventeen year old male from Argonaut High School, who was also at the event, and with whom Hoehn had an on-going dispute, went to the sports field behind the Sutter Creek Auditorium.  In the presence of approximately eight other juveniles, the teenagers engaged in a physical confrontation.  The others in attendance subsequently separated the two, with neither suffering any visible significant traumatic injuries.

The Amador County Unified School District press release indicates that the students had all left the area just before the conclusion of the dance, faculty and other chaperones were unaware of any altercation. After the confrontation, Hoehn began complaining of difficulty breathing.  He was transported by a friend to a residence in Pine Grove, where he subsequently lost consciousness. 911 was called immediately and a residents of the home attempted to give Hoehn CPR until emergency personnel arrived.

Amador Sheriff's Investigators have conducted numerous interviews of individuals that were present during and preceding the event.  The Sutter Creek Police Department secured the area where the fight reportedly occurred and a search of that scene was conducted.  A search of Hoehn's vehicle revealed a baggie of white powder suspected to be a controlled substance.  Witness statements indicate Hoehn may have consumed a controlled substance earlier that evening. The Amador County Sheriff-Coroner's Office transported Hoehn to the Sacramento County Coroners Office where a pathologist will conduct a forensic examination today to determine the cause of his death.  Toxicology results are pending.

The Amador County Unified School District, has released this statement, “This is a tragic situation for the community, the schools, staff, students and families. While we await further information and work with local law enforcement agencies, we mourn the loss of one of our students.”  The school district has committed to having counselors available to assist the students. This open and active investigation is being collaboratively conducted by the Amador County Sheriff's Office and the Sutter Creek Police Department.  At this point, no arrests have been made and no criminal charges have been filed.