SC: Hunter shot after being mistaken for deer

December 3, 2009

Gaffney hunter shot by friend Officials say man thought victim was deer

Published: Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 3:15 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:05 p.m.

GAFFNEY -- First Sgt. John McCraw with the state Department of Natural Resources said a hunter remained hospitalized Wednesday after his friend, thinking he was a deer, shot him.

Timothy Dean Patterson, 48, was in fair condition in Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

The shooting occurred Tuesday in a wooded area off Orr Bank Road east of Blacksburg near the York County line.

McCraw said 911 received the call for help about 5:52 p.m.

"So far, we're looking at the victim was walking and mistaken by his friend for a deer. The friend, 67-year-old Winfred Wayne Jenkins, was sitting on a roadbed. By law it was still legal to hunt, but it was dark," McCraw said.

Both men were listed by investigators as living at 139 Freeman Road, Blacksburg. "We haven't been able to talk much to the victim because he is sedated," McCraw said. "We'll see what he says and go from there."

Patterson received injuries to his legs and lower body from the buckshot in Jenkins' gun and was airlifted by Regional One.

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