UPDATE (Thursday, April 28, 2020, at 2:30 pm) MERCER COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – New details released after a 7-year-old boy and his 20-year-old brother were shot during a hunting accident in Mercer County.
On Tuesday, April 28th, District Four Officers responded to a remote area of Camp Creek State Park for a reported hunting incident.
Upon arrival, Officers discovered a 7-year-old Mercer County youth and his 20-year-old brother both sustaining gunshot wounds. The brothers were hunting a section of Camp Creek that borders some private property and encountered a family acquaintance hunting the same area. On a heavily forested ridge mixed with White Oaks and Pines, the acquaintance mistook the movement of the boys as a turkey and fired at the brothers.
The 7-year-old was Airlifted to CAMC where he is recovering in stable condition, his brother was treated at the scene. The shooter assisted in the first aid and rescue of the boys and has been cooperative during the investigation.
There are four main causes of hunting incidents that we teach in Hunter Education. The first is Hunter Judgement Mistakes. Not identifying your target from “tip to tail” can lead to situations just like this one. The excitement of the hunt, poor visual conditions, and the hunter not following proper shooting guidelines can turn an enjoyable day a field into a tragedy.
The WV DNR asks that you please make safety your first concern while outdoors, your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of the ones you love depend on it.
MERCER COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – A juvenile has been flown to a hospital after being shot in Mercer County.
Officials tell WOAY that the call came in shortly before 9:30 on Stovall Ridge Road.
West Virginia Natural Resource Police are investigating.
Stay with WOAY News for further updates on this story.
