Hunter mistakes woman for deer, fatally shoots her while walking at night.

It was a tragic and senseless event that occurred on a peaceful walking trail in South Carolina. Kristofer Kelle McDonald, a 20-year-old man, allegedly mistook a woman for a deer and shot at her and her husband. The incident took place on Tuesday night when the couple, Lori Wind and her husband, were out for a walk on the Sawmill Branch Walking Trail in Summerville. It was supposed to be a tranquil evening stroll, but it quickly turned into a nightmare.

Lori Wind, who was 54 years old, was unfortunately struck by the bullet and was pronounced dead two hours later. Her husband was also injured but his condition was not immediately disclosed. It was later revealed that McDonald was hunting illegally after dark and thought the rustling of leaves and branches were deer. He fired three to four rounds from his shotgun, not realizing the devastating consequences of his actions.

The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Sam Richardson shared that a source had tipped off McDonald as the suspect and he surrendered after admitting to being in the area when the shooting occurred. According to an arrest warrant obtained by WCSC, McDonald claimed that he mistook the couple for deer due to poor visibility. Richardson emphasized that there was no excuse for anyone to be careless with a firearm, especially when it results in the loss of a life.

McDonald has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, criminal negligent use of a firearm causing death, criminal negligent use of a firearm causing great bodily harm, and night hunting. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources spokesperson, Stephen Fastenau, confirmed that McDonald was being held at the LC Knight Detention Center and would appear in court on Thursday. He has also been ordered to refrain from all hunting activities.

State law states that hunters must be at least 300 yards away from residential neighborhoods, and Richardson stressed the importance of being aware of any potential collateral damage while using a firearm. He urged Summerville residents to avoid walking on trails at night and to ensure they have proper lighting or reflective gear to be visible to others.

This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of hunting, especially at night. It was almost a year ago when a disabled hunter in Wisconsin accidentally shot a woman walking her dog, mistaking the pet for a deer without antlers. The woman was airlifted for medical treatment, and thankfully her dog was unharmed.

In the wake of this tragedy, we must remember to always prioritize safety and responsibility when handling firearms. Our thoughts go out to the family and loved ones of Lori Wind, and we hope that this serves as a cautionary tale for others. Let us learn from this and do our part to prevent such heartbreaking incidents from happening again.

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