Hunter charged with second-degree assault after accidentally shooting man in abdomen

Staff Reports Posted 21 February 2017 at 10:00 am

SWEDEN – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department has charged a 42-year-old Town of Sweden man with second-degree assault after he accidentally shot a man in the stomach on Monday evening.

Brett Blackburn of Covell Road and his son were on their property hunting for coyotes when they observed 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. Blackburn fired his rifle then heard someone yell. He assisted the victim and his son ran to their residence to call 911, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department reported today.

Deputies responded at about 6:24 p.m. to the area of 1505 Covell Road in the Town of Sweden for the report of a male who had been shot in a field north of the dispatched location.

Deputies arrived at the location and on foot located the victim identified as Robert Williams, 32, who had been shot in the abdomen. Deputies also observed Brett Blackburn rendering aid to the victim. Deputies coordinated with Fire Department and EMS officials to help evacuate the victim to a waiting ambulance. Williams was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

Blackburn was charged with second degree assault and arraigned in Sweden Town Court. Bail was set at $1,500 cash or $5,000 bond and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m.

Return to top