Tragedy near home...

[TheMightyFavog]

Caught this on the news tonight... This is a few miles from me.

http://www.wluk.com/common/article.shtml?article_id=1132939094021888


PESHTIGO, Wis. (AP) - A 12-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed a 14-year-old boy while deer hunting in Marinette County, authorities said.

The 14-year-old had just participated in a deer drive at a relative's farm near Coleman and was walking toward a vehicle when he was shot in the back Thursday afternoon, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The 12-year-old wasn't familiar with the shotgun he was using for the deer drive and apparently thought the safety was on, the DNR said in a news release. He was carrying the shotgun while walking with a group of people and was not trying to shoot deer at
the time.

Marinette County Coroner George Smith identified the victim as Robert J. Slattery of Green Bay. He died while on the way to a hospital.

[sybylla]

1. How sad!

:cry:

[Serial Mom]

2. I am so sad - this type of death does NOT need to occur

There is such a thing as gun safety and any hunter should know about it and teach their kids about it.

My hubby went hunting only 4-5 times in his life (35 years ago) and he mentioned that the boy was killed while the group was walking back to their car. Hubby says that he learned from friend who taught him to hunt that you always, always, crack the shotgun open while walking to car or back to another stand/area. That way you don't have to worry if safety is on!

I can't imagine the sadness the family of both must be feeling (and they were cousins)!

My heart aches when I hear of these senseless deaths.
:cry: