Son shoots, kills father he mistook for deer

(stock photo)

CARROLL COUNTY, Va. — A 13-year-old accidentally shot and killed his 50-year-old father on New Year’s Day after he mistook him for a deer, according to deputies.

The incident happened on private property off Wills Gap Road around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

According to deputies, the preliminary investigation suggests the teenager mistook his father for a deer at 159 yards and shot him with a Night 50 Cal. Muzzleloader.

According to a report from the Caroll County Sheriff’s Office, the victim, Sansford Ray Semones, 50, was not wearing blaze orange hunting gear at the time of the accident.

Deputies said the teenager had a current hunting license and also successful completed a certified hunter education course. 

Deputies called this an “active investigation.”

No other information was provided.