Apr 20, 2008 10:12 pm US/Central
Sheriff: Son Killed By Father In Hunting Accident
BELLE PLAINE, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Anthony and Hunter Klaseus
Family Photo
The Sibley County Sheriff says that a man who accidentally shot and killed his 8-year-old son while they were hunting apparently mistook the boy for a turkey.
Sheriff Bruce Ponath said that Anthony Klaseus of Belle Plaine and his son Hunter were hunting turkey about three miles west of Belle Plaine in Faxon Township around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when Klaseus shot his son in the chest with a 12 gauge shotgun.
Hunter was tagging along while his father hunted for turkeys in the woods off Sibley County Road 6. They were in an open field beyond this ridge when they spotted a group of turkeys on the other side of the field.
"He told his son to stay here. I'm going to try to sneak up on them," said Ponath.
The father entered the woods, while his son moved along the grassy edge of the field. Both were wearing camouflage.
"His son did not stay at that spot and he came up on his dad and his dad mistook him for a turkey," said Ponath.
Hunter was about 20 to 30 yards away from his father when he accidentally shot the boy in the chest with the 12 gauge shotgun.
"It's a tragedy, an absolute tragedy," said Ponath.
Anthony Klaseus called 911 immediately and stayed on the line helping emergency crews find them. At the same time the father carried his son for about a quarter mile to reach responders. Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff spoke with the father that night.
"He was absolutely panicked," said Ponath. "To say he is distraught is an understatement. That family is going through very hard times right now with the loss of their son."
Ponath said the shooting was an accident but that his department is continuing to investigate the circumstances.
Hunting accidents are rare in Sibley County. The last time there was a death related to hunting was about 17 years ago. Last year in Minnesota, there were two deaths from hunting accidents.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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