Police Probe Shooting Of Indiana Twp. Hunter

(KDKA/AP) INDIANA TOWNSHIP Police are investigating the shooting of a hunter in a tree stand in Indiana Township.

It happened this morning just after 7 a.m. in Indianola near Route 910.

Now police are searching for the hunter who fired the shots.

"It's one thing to shoot a man, it is an accident, but to take off running, he could have left that kid lay there to die,” George Steele, a friend of the victim said. “Accidents are accidents, but it's a coward when you shoot somebody and just take off on them."

The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Jason Davies of Franklin Park.

Davies was bow hunting when someone walked up and fired a shotgun at him in his stand about 30 feet above the ground.

"A guy came up in orange camouflage hunting squirrels. I take it he thought the guy in the tree stand was a squirrel and shot at him,” said Beth Fife, a state wildlife officer. “Our problem, right now, is after he did that he left."

Fife says Davies tried to alert the other hunter before he fired.

Police describe the hunter as a white man in his mid-40s, between 6’ to 6’2”, with a medium build and grayish hair.

Also, officials say he was driving a maroon pick-up truck, possibly a late ‘90s Chevy or GMC with a matching maroon cap.

Davies was taken by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for treatment.

Today is the first day of squirrel and grouse season.

Anyone with information is asked to call Allegheny County police at 412-473-3000.