WA: Two hunters turn themselves in after greenery picker killed in woods near Shelton, WA

September 30, 2010

Hunters turn themselves in after fatal gunshot near Shelton

Two hunters turned themselves in following Wednesday morning's homicide by gunshot of a Guatemalan man who was picking salal in a field off of California Road in Mason County, about three miles west of state Route 101, Mason County Chief Deputy Dean Byrd said.

Byrd said the hunters turned themselves in Wednesday afternoon following television newscasts recounting the homicide. The hunters said they had no idea they had struck a man with gunfire. Byrd said that the deceased man’s partner reported hearing a “pop” and seeing his friend fall to the ground at about 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The men were picking salal, a plant used in floral arrangements and sold by the bushel to local companies in Mason County. Byrd said sheriff’s detectives were interviewing the hunters Wednesday evening. The hunters may face criminal charges for the homicide, even though it appears to be accidental, he added.

“There’s going to be some charges I would guess,” Byrd said.

The deceased man’s wife was at the scene Wednesday afternoon wailing in anguish at the loss of her husband. The couple has a 3-year-old daughter. A clergyman was on scene offering solace to the family

Byrd said the deceased man’s partner and his family all speak “Mam,” a native language in Guatemala. The investigation was complicated because the sheriff’s office has no Mam speakers.

A translator on the scene Wednesday identified the homicide victim at Carlos Paulo-Carrillo, 24.

Byrd said he’ll have more information on potential criminal charges Thursday morning.

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