uncle matt

Hunting Mass. trooper accidentally shoots woman




NORTON, Mass. (AP) — An off-duty state trooper who was hunting in southeast Massachusetts shot and wounded a 66-year-old woman who was out walking her two dogs when he mistook her pets for a deer.
The woman was shot in the torso while walking on a wooded path in Norton about 5 p.m. Saturday. Police said the trooper called 911 after realizing he had mistaken the tails of the two retrievers for a deer's tail.
The unidentified woman who lives in Norton was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. Authorities provided no further information on her condition.
State police on Sunday said investigators determined the shooting was an accident. The name of the trooper, who also lives in Norton, was not released because he faces no charges. The investigation continued.

http://news.yahoo.com/hunting-mass-t...220641944.html

Faces no charges? How can this be? Someone who is supposedly very well and regularly trained in the safe use and discharge of various firearms, 1. fails to positively identify his intended target, 2. just guesses where the vitals are (because the tail of a deer - or retriever - is not a vital) and then, 3. RECKLESSLY DISCHARGES a firearm.

If this woman were to die I don't know how anyone could argue against wreckless homicide as his actions (although unintended towards another person) solely and directly would have caused the death.

So is that how it works for everyone involved in "accidental" shootings? They "accidentally" shoot someone at lunchtime and are back in their home for dinner?

Seems to me that there is absolutely ZERO accountability being applied here.

Topgun 3006

Agree with ya 100%. They ought to charge him with the max on something like that and to think he's a LEO makes it even worse!

specialist1

There is alot more to the story than we will ever know. They are neighbors, and the woman's husband is a hunter education instructor. He has hunted with the trooper before.

I can't understand why she would have been in the woods without an orange hat and jacket on. Not saying she was in the wrong, but knowing that it's deer season, and that it is a regulation for hunters to wear it for their own safety, wouldn't you?

Also there is speculation that she was hit by a ricochet not actually shot...

DeppedyDogg

What'd he think, the tail is a kill zone?

sachiko

You're supposed to be deerhunting and you shoot a woman walking her dogs?

And no charges? That should be reckless discharge of a firearm at the very least.

Camo Mike

Never, ever shoot what you can't see.

petasux

When a hunter accidently shoots another hunter the not wearing orange is a valid argument.Hunters know the risks of being out during gun season and if they choose not to dress accordingly and they get shot its generally safe to say both parties were at fault .

This lady was walking her dog and minding her own business.Its the hunters responsibility to know what he/she is shooting at and whats around it before they pull the trigger.He obviously didnt do that or we wouldnt be having this conversation.

Sfury

petasux has it right. In an incident like this the only person to blame is the shooter. Period.

One of the most basic rules of gun safety was violated. The shooter should be charged to the full extent of the law. They should be made an example of.

Why? So people know what happens when you do make an incredibly reckless mistake like this.

Can there be rare exceptions to my way of thinking? Sure, but 99% of the stories I see are clear violations of knowing the target itself, or what is shortly behind it. The people who are that dangerous to be around should not be in the woods armed. I prefer to have everyone I know, and myself, to make it home after a days hunt.

You will have to forgive me for being angry though. I know someone who died in a deer drive when a fellow member of the party shot him in the leg. He bled out so fast they could not even attempt to save his life. At least the person who was shot survived. That's the only good thing about the story.

WV Hunter

I agree. This guy was very reckless to say the least. I've never understood how someone can take aim and shoot somebody else, mistaking them for game. If you are a hunter, you HAVE to know what you are shooting at, or you don't shoot. Period.

Of course there are always the true accidents....where a bullet carries or deflects and hits someone that you didn't know was there - sometimes even far away. But aiming and shooting a supposed deer, that turns out to be a person....no excuse.

The best one was in the news a good while back...guy shot and killed another guy wearing a blaze orange jumpsuit. His defense, "I thought he was a turkey".

gator59

Lets hope it was anterless season???????? or did he see antlers???