NY: Turkey hunter shot on opening day

May 1, 2010

Turkey hunter shot on opening day

ARKWRIGHT - A Niagara Falls man was shot Saturday morning, the opening day of turkey season.

According to the State Police at Fredonia, at about 9:30 a.m. Robert J. Shaugnessy, 25, was shot while turkey hunting near Tarbox Road in the town of Arkwright. Shaugnessy was hunting on New York State land for turkey while wearing full camouflage.

At the same time Charles Fanning, 73, South Milestrip Road, Blasdell, was hunting in the same wooded area. Fanning, believing that he saw a turkey, fired one round from his 12-gauge shotgun and struck Shaugnessy on the left side striking his head, face, chest, arm and leg with number 6 shot. Shaugnessy exited the woods and sought directions from a nearby neighbor to the nearest hospital.

Fanning, with his hunting partner, left the woods attempting to locate the victim. Shaugnessy was driving towards the hospital when he came upon Trooper Carl Lis and requested assistance. The Cassadaga and Fredonia Fire departments were dispatched and Shaugnessy was flown to the Erie County Medical Center by Starflight where he was treated and released.

While awaiting Starflight and enroute to find the victim, Fanning noticed the ambulance and state police vehicle, approached the trooper at the scene and identified himself as the shooter. No charges filed at this time. The incident is being jointly investigated by the Environmental Conservation Police and the New York State Police.

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