NEW KENT COUNTY, VA (WTVR)- A Mechanicsville man was taken to the hospital Saturday afternoon after investigators say he was accidentally shot by a fellow hunter in New Kent County.
Sgt. Randy Hickman with the Virginia Conservation Police told CBS 6's Travis Ponton that a group of friends was out enjoying the nice weather on the last day of deer hunting season, using dogs to chase deer through the woods near the New Kent-Henrico County line.
Sgt. Hickman said he was nearby this area, off of Rt. 60, when he heard shots fired and then calls for assistance over his radio. He hopped in his vehicle with another officer and headed in the direction of the shots. Suddenly, he saw a man staggering out of the woods waving his arms and screaming for help.
That man, Hickman says, was a 34 year old hunter from Mechanicsville. He collapsed after suffering three gunshot wounds. Sgt. Hickman says he performed first aid to the victim, keeping my alive and conscious until an ambulance arrived.
The victim had three pellet wounds, one to the left shoulder, one on the left side of his chest, and a third under his chin. Hickman says he was taken to VCU Medical Center, but was unaware of his current condition.
The investigation has determined that all of the hunters in this group were experienced, licensed, and wearing the proper orange attire. No chargers have been filed at this time, and Sgt. Hickman tells us the investigation is ongoing. For the time being, the man who fired the round was not held in custody.
