Coyote hunter charged with assault following accidental shooting in Sweden

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Madmallard

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A man was rushed to the hospital after a shooting in the Town of Sweden Monday evening.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the accidental shooting happened in a wooded area near 6142 Lake Road around 6:30 p.m.

Deputies say 42-year-old Brett Blackburn and his son were on their property hunting for coyotes when they saw movement in the field. Blackburn used a light to illuminate the area of movement, and observed light he thought to be the eyes of a coyote, according to deputies.

According to deputies, Blackburn fired his rifle and then heard someone yell. He assisted the victim, 32-year-old Robert Williams, who was shot in the abdomen. Blackburn’s son called 911.

Brett Blackburn was charged with second degree assault and arraigned in Sweden Town Court. Bail was set at $1,500 cash/$5,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, February 24.

Coyote hunter charged with assault following accidental shooting in Sweden
 
2WheelGnnr

2WheelGnnr

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on another note I just gotta say...... they were on there property. the other guy wandered onto his property off property he had permission to be on. So I wonder if he will sorta Counter claim for tresspassing......and they used a spotlight....

STILL as you said...CANT take that sucker back! KNow your target and beyond. I dont think I would or could mistake human eyes for yote eyes.

When we deer hunt on my brothers land we come across tresspasser every year that he has told MULTIPLE times they dont have permission to be there.

So we are always even more on the lookout before taking a shot.
 
MilesTeg

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All I know if someone shines a light on me in the dark, I'm damn well going to address him. I don't know why the guy that got shot didn't address the guy shining a light on him unless he was up to no good.
 
2WheelGnnr

2WheelGnnr

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further news said the guy was deer shed hunting. ( looking for dropped antlers) but agree.....maybe no time. LIGHT SHINE...BOOOOM.

Buck shot to the gut...ouch!!!
 
twax100

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I agree. Something is missing from the story.

The light I use to hunt dogs at night will illuminate their eyes at 500+ yards. But I can't positively identify a dog with that light past about 200 yards. So that's my max distance. Not only have I had curious deer come into my calls, I also called in someone's German Shepard once. I want to know 100% it's a yote.
 
Jmac00

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one other thing everyone seems to be missing, IF you're shed hunting at night (or just wandering through the woods) , why were you not wearing a reflective safety vest? and have an equally bright flashlight? if these guy have been on that property before, the 'victim' should know people hunt that area

and another thing, Human eyes don't "light up" like a nocturnal animal. Humans have very poor night sight, we don't have that extra layer on the back of the retina that reflects light?

something definitely ain't right here.
 
Greywolf224

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MilesTeg said:
All I know if someone shines a light on me in the dark, I'm damn well going to address him. I don't know why the guy that got shot didn't address the guy shining a light on him unless he was up to no good.
Click to expand...

Because he was not supposed to be there. Shed hunting my ass! He was wrong on all counts. But the idiot who shot him pays the price.
As Dad thought me, the slightest thought, hesitation or question as to whether you should shoot or not is a clear indicator not to shoot.
 
Yeti

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Exactly what I was thinking,human eyes dont glow.There was another story a little while ago about a prison guard coyote hunting at night and shooting 2 of the farmers horses.Swept under the rug of course due to being one of the in crowd of NY.Think my outdoor night sports will be catfishing,alot safer.

Jmac00 said:
one other thing everyone seems to be missing, IF you're shed hunting at night (or just wandering through the woods) , why were you not wearing a reflective safety vest? and have an equally bright flashlight? if these guy have been on that property before, the 'victim' should know people hunt that area

and another thing, Human eyes don't "light up" like a nocturnal animal. Humans have very poor night sight, we don't have that extra layer on the back of the retina that reflects light?

something definitely ain't right here.
Click to expand...
 
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pmcjuryny

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Jmac00 said:
and another thing, Human eyes don't "light up" like a nocturnal animal. Humans have very poor night sight, we don't have that extra layer on the back of the retina that reflects light?

something definitely ain't right here.
Click to expand...

I'll assume thus is true as I don't know, but it is just one more thing that makes the story sound sketchy. How do you shed hunt at night with out a big ass flashlight, just wonder around and hope you trip on them.

If the hunter saw the reflection off somethings eyes, and shot, it sounds like he missed what he was legally hunting and happened to shoot a trespasser.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
carpediem

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It is a weird set of circumstances. Human eyes do not reflect so he didn't see eye shine. Why in hell would you want to shed hunt at night? Why would you then trespass on someone's property who obviously didn't know you were there? Or maybe they knew he would be there and it wasn't an accident? Pure speculation, but this story does seem very odd.
 
Robin

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They should shed a little more light on why the guy was out there in the middle of the night, I assume on the shooters property.
It was an accident, there was no intent to do bodily harm. Assault?
Robin
 
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