PA: hunter charged in shooting of 14-year-old

February 18, 2010

Shickshinny hunter charged in nonfatal shooting of 14-year-old

A Shickshinny man was arraigned this morning for his role in the nonfatal hunting-related shooting incident of a 14-year-old boy in November, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials.

Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer James Jolly, the northeastern district of Luzerne County, filed criminal complaints in Magistrate Judge John Hasay's office against Gary Alan Savidge, 45, Shickshinny. Charges included shooting at or causing injury to another human being, and failing to render assistance after the incident. Both charges are misdemeanors of the second degree under Pennsylvania's Game and Wildlife Code (Title 34). If found guilty of both charges, Savidge could face up to $10,000 in fines, one year in prison, and forfeit his hunting and trapping privileges up to 20 years anywhere in the state.

On Nov. 21, a 14-year-old male, was helping his father set a trap line along a creek bottom in a wooded area behind Town Hill Road, Shickshinny, when he was shot in the abdomen, causing severe bodily injury.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Savidge, who was hunting turkeys in the vicinity, fired his .308 caliber rifle at what he thought was a turkey. Savidge immediately heard yelling from the direction which he fired and, thinking it was an adjoining property owner yelling at him for shooting, left the area.

Savidge returned to the area later that day and turned himself in to the officers who were still processing the scene. Savidge was later transported to the Shickshinny State Police Barracks where he provided a written statement as to what had happened that day, after being advised of his rights.

The 14-year-old has recuperated and is back in school.

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