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The first firearm-related fatality of the fall West Virginia hunting season has been reported in Randolph County, according to Colonel Jim Fields, Chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Section.
Seventy-seven year old Kenneth Corley of Fort Charlotte, Florida, died of a fatal single pistol shot to the right anterior chest/rib area October 21 in the Windy Run area of Randolph County. Investigating Conservation Officer Greg Smith reports that Corley was in a camping trailer with 67-year old Holmer Corley of Akron, Ohio when the shooting occurred. Holmer Corley indicated he had been showing Kenneth Corley two semi-automatic .22 handguns when one accidently discharged. Charges are pending completion of an investigation.
Forty-seven year old Norman E. Lilly of Fayetteville, West Virginia, was peppered with shot while squirrel hunting near Panther Mountain Road in Nicholas County October 16. He suffered three blisters, but no penetration wounds. The shotgun was fired by 67-year old Gene Stephenson of Drennen West Virginia. Investigating Conservation Officer Billy Persinger reports that Stephenson shot and killed a squirrel, but some of the pellets traveled beyond the target and hit Lilly, who was in dense cover and not visible to the shooter. The case was referred to the Nicholas County Prosecuting Attorney.
Fifteen year old Carl Shrader of Athens, West Virginia suffered a glancing head wound from a .22 rifle bullet that required two stiches while he was squirrel hunting in the Camp Creek area of Mercer County October 9. A juvenile suspect has been identified as the shooter, according to investigating Conservation Officer, and prosecution is pending an investigation.
Twenty-six year old Frederick Costello of Dellslow, West Virginia, is in stable condition at a Morgantown hospital after injuring his spine when he fell out of a tree stand while bow hunting for deer October 20 near Star City in Monongalia County, according to Investigating Conservation Officer Jerry Keller.
Forty-four year old Mark Joseph Lawson of Chapmanville, West Virginia, was hunting in the Godby Branch Road area of Chapmanville in Logan County October 15 when a shotgun shell exploded, sending a metal fragment into the skin of his forehead above his left eye. The wound was superficial, but an investigation by Conservation Officer Terry Ballard revealed that Lawson had been shooting at grouse out of season. He was arrested and will be prosecuted on charges of giving false information to an officer and hunting out of season.
Uploaded: 10/27/1999
Uploaded: 10/27/1999