TX: One man dead after Rusk County hunting accident

UPDATE: One man dead after Rusk County hunting accident

January 1, 2011

RUSK COUNTY - It happened around 10 this morning on County Road 4107 near Turnertown.

Overton man, Louis Conner Jr. is dead tonight after allegedly being mistaken for a deer while hunting this morning.

When deputies arrived at the deer lease, the suspect told them they were hunting along the fence-line and shot what they thought was a deer.

When the suspect found Conner's body, he called the Sheriff's office.

Rusk County deputies arrested the alleged shooter for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

So far, the suspect is still in the Rusk County jail waiting for arraignment. The name has not been released.

The Rusk County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit is still working on the case.

Here is the full press release from Rusk County:

On Saturday, January 1, 2011, at approximately 10:00 am, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched on a call concerning a shooting incident. The incident occurred on a deer lease in the eastern part of Rusk County off of County Road 4107.

The victim, 66 years old, white male, Louis Nicklas Conner, Jr., of Fort Worth, died from an apparent gunshot wound. Justice of the Peace, Jerdy Wolverton, of Precinct 1, conducted the inquest.

The suspect advised they were hunting on the lease and saw what they thought was a deer. The suspect called the Sheriff’s Office when they discovered the victim’s body.

The suspect was arrested for Felon in possession of firearm, and is currently in the Rusk County Jail awaiting arraignment.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit.

Sheriff Danny R. Pirtle stated this investigation will be conducted to the fullest and upon completion will be forwarded to the Rusk County District Attorney’s Office to be presented to a Grand Jury for possible additional charges.

CORRECTION:

Due to being misinformed on the victim, Mr. Louis N. Conner, Jr’s, information I would like to make a correction.

Mr. Conner was 41 years old from Overton, Texas, not Ft. Worth which was previously stated.

We would like to send our apologies to the victim’s family for the incorrect information.

Sergeant Viki Penny
Public Information Officer
Rusk County Sheriff’s Office.

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