71-year-old hunter dies when young relative accidentally shoots him, PA officials say

A 71-year-old man was accidentally shot and killed Thanksgiving weekend when one of his young relatives misfired while hunting in Pennsylvania, officials told media outlets.

Cambria County Coroner Jeffrey Lees said William Tripp died after being accidentally shot in the head Nov. 27 in Jackson Township, WJAC reported. The bullet had been fired by a minor relative, who was trying to shoot a deer but missed, according to WJAC.

The bullet traveled 300 yards before striking Tripp, Lees told WTAJ.

“This is a heart-wrenching, unfortunate accident that has happened,” the coroner told the station.

The relation between Tripp and the child was not disclosed.

Saturday was the beginning of regular firearm deer hunting season in Pennsylvania, and it continues through Dec. 11.

“Statewide, we have hunting-related shooting incidents every year,” Pennsylvania Game Warden Shawn Harshaw told The Tribune-Democrat. “In Cambria County it’s rare, but it does happen.”

Cambria County is about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh.

This story was originally published November 29, 2021 at 10:51 AM with the headline "71-year-old hunter dies when young relative accidentally shoots him, PA officials say."