5 killed in shootout among deer hunters

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - Five deer hunters died and three were injured on Sunday in an apparent shootout over who could occupy a hunting platform in a northwestern Wisconsin forest.

The exact circumstances of the deadly incident that occurred during the annual hunts opening weekend in southwestern Sawyer County remained unclear Monday morning. Police said a single male suspect was arrested Sunday afternoon.


	Emergency personnel gather near the scene of a series of shootings near Hayward, Wisconsin. (AP photo)

Two hunters were returning to their rural cabin on private land, when they reportedly saw the suspect in one of their tree stands, County Chief Deputy Tim Zeigle said. A confrontation and shooting followed.

It's not known who shot first, Zeigle said.

Both men were wounded and one of them radioed to the cabin. Other hunters responded to the call and were shot, Zeigle said. Some of the victims may have shot back at the suspect, Zeigle said.

The suspect was "sniping" at the victims with a SKS semi-automatic rifle, Zeigle said. He was "chasing after them and killing them," he said.

Among the dead were four males – including a teenage boy – and a woman, Zeigle said. Some of the victims were reportedly shot more than once.

Authorities found two bodies near each other and three others scattered around the area, which is near the town of Meteor. Two people who hid in a cabin emerged safely after the shootings.

The suspect was arrested as he walked out of the woods. He was out of bullets at the time, Zeigle said.

One of the injured hunters was in critical condition at a local hospital. Another was listed in serious condition and the third was in fair condition.

Wisconsin's deer hunting season started Saturday and lasts for nine days.

Probably so freakin' shocked that a "hunter" would actually purposefully shoot a fellow hunter. It's a very non-violent sport, like target shooting. Neither sport is known for the extreme violence characteristic of hockey (fights all the time), or now the NBA (recent brawl with fans). Ever hear about two shooters at an NRA tournament getting in a brawl like that? Or hunters shooting each other? It probably shocked these normal hunters so much that they didn't react quick enough...

That title should read, "Trespassing Vietnamese nutjob murders 5 hunters."

The more accounts I see of this story, the angrier I get about the sloppy reporting and the continued reference to this criminal as a "hunter".

Two hunters were returning to their rural cabin on private land, when they reportedly saw the suspect in one of their tree stands, County Chief Deputy Tim Zeigle said. A confrontation and shooting followed.

This guy is not a hunter; he is a POACHER. He was on private property without permission. He attacked the rightful owners of that property. He is a trespasser, a poacher, and a murderer. He is certainly NOT a hunter.

The weapon here involved is the question mark. I don't think he was carrying a typical deer rifle. To do that much damage...you need a automatic rifle...maybe like a M-16. Thats a extemely poor choice for deer hunting...but to take down 8 folks total...a simple bolt action rifle wouldn not have been enough. The funny thing is that after the eight were laying there...this dimwit gets down...and actually gets lost in the woods...and is eventually rescued by two other hunters who don't know what happened...and they lead him to safety. I think this guy was some outsider from the region...and wasn't much of a real deer hunter. He will get the death penelty for this action.

I'm still having trouble picturing how FIVE armed hunters on one side get killed (plus three wounded, also on the side of the five), all by one armed hunter acting alone.

Perhaps they were not armed. They expected the other hunter to be a courteous individual who handles firearms safely in the presence of other people. It was not a situation that was expected to turn into a human on human shooting incident.

After this incident, people who trespass on private land and occupy tree stands erected by other people should expect to be greeted with a large number of loaded rifles directed at them.

i was watching fox news earlier today + some "expert" suggested the shooter may have felt "threatened" by the hunters. i suspect this story will get alot of play- shooter was asian/ victims anglo.

I also saw that. The ignorance of Bridgett Quinn (sp) and her guest "expert" (defense attorny Mercedes something-or-other) is truly astounding. This Mercedes person tried to imply that bullets were "ricocheting around", and that the killer was defending himself.

The always moronic Quinn also seemed unable to grasp the simple concept of private property. She appeared perpelexed as to why there was a "dispute" over the tree stand.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.