November 29, 2011
By Eileen Curran, NECN.com
After just one day into deer hunting season in Massachusetts, a
hunter has been shot in the woods.
It happened in Dighton, behind the Araujo Farms greenhouse.
"It's just a freak accident," said Kenny Araujo, owner of the
farm.
A group of men had gone hunting in the woods Tuesday afternoon,
about a half mile from the water tower on Araujo's property. They
were each up in a tree stand, 10-15 feet off the ground, when one
hunter saw a deer and took a shot.
"The bullet missed the deer. It was about 400-500 yards away and
richocheted (off a rock) and went through the bottom of stand and
hit him in his ankle,"
said Araujo, who spoke with the victim afterwards.
The man who fired the shot was a 61-year-old retired firefighter.
The the man hit was a 70 year old retired police officer.
Emergency crews responded, but had a hard time getting their
vehicles into the woods where the hunters were. Araujo got them
there on one of his farm vehicles.
Police said no alcohol was involved, and it was just a freak
accident.
"These guys were all...experienced hunters," said Dighton Police
Sgt Edward Dutra.
"Everything they had was up to date, like I said, just an
unfortunate accident."
Araujo said he knows them men involved. He said they've been
hunting in these woods together for years. He said the retired cop
was even joking about it as he was taken away to the hospital.
"Other than the grazing wound, he was fine," said Araujo.
"He was talking, laughing and joking."
Police are not releasing the names of the men involved. They said
no charges will be filed.
The victim was admitted to the hospital, but is expected to
recover.
