Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself

[509er]

MISHAP: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer
MOSES LAKE -- A Moses Lake hunter is at a Spokane hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the face with a shotgun, authorities said.

Mitchell P. King, 43, of Moses Lake, was pheasant hunting with friends when he apparently shot himself with his shotgun, said Grant County Undersheriff John Turley.

The incident happened around 12:40 p.m. Friday, Turley said. No information about it was released until today because of the ongoing investigation, he said.

King and two friends were hunting in the area of Road U Northeast, about 10 miles east of Moses Lake, Turley said.

King’s friend said he heard a shot, then saw King falling backward. His semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun was between his legs, Turley said.

Investigators suspect the gun fired when King put it between his legs as he was ringing the neck of a pheasant he just shot or was congratulating his hunting dog, which may have accidentally made contact with the trigger.

The blast hit King on the left side of his body, beginning at his hunting vest, and traveled along the left side of his face and head, Turley said.

King was taken to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake then transferred to a Spokane hospital, where earlier this week he was said to be in stable condition stable in the critical care unit.

— Paula Horton: 582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com

[Schmalzfam]

I hope he is ok soon, poor guy.

[Birdguy]

WOW! What an awful way to spend the holidays. Good reminder to the rest of us and those we hunt with about muzzle control. I just read this story to my kids, followed by a few minutes of serious talk. Hope he heals up quick.

[ICEMAN]

Wow, another mishap. Hope he survives his injury.

[huntncoug]

Wow, lead five or sixes would have too do some serious damage at point blank range.

[washelkhntr]

 

[TEX-X]

what the hell?  that's crazy

[shoot-em-dead]

Sad to hear bad news like this but it is a great reminder as to why firearms saftey is so important.

[sako223]

This guy will be scarred for life and have to live with the shame of it too. Don't know anything about him but wonder if he ever went to firearm safety. His age says maybe no. I believe everyone should go and get a refresher every so often.
Getting shot is the wrong last sign but a huge warning to the rest of us.

[jordano]

wow... truely unfortunate. but just like the rest of you are saying. a great reminder to ALWAYS know whereyour barrel is pointed!!! always, always, always!!! hope he is alright and please everyone be safe out there!!!!

[509er]

Just goes to show you how things can go from great to horrible in a blink of an eye.  Sure hope he recovers alright.

[follow maggie]

Wow- it only takes a second.  He had probably done that a thousand times before.

[shorthair-on-point]

The guy was/is an airline pilot. He was an experienced hunter.

[Dustin07]

hopefully this sparks conversation with a lot of local children and dad's/mom's to teach them gun saftey. sometimes tragedies help us learn better... how bad was the blast to his face, will he lose his jaw/eye or did he get lucky?


its scary because even those of us who think they are extremly careful to the point of being rediculous can have a lapse of judgement. Its important to stay humble with gun saftey 24/7.

[bearpaw]

Sorry to hear, I bet the dog hit the trigger with a foot, hope he comes out OK.