Sad opening day for turkey season in NC

[hossdaniels]

Sad opening day here in NC. Praying for both families involved.


WILKES COUNTY, N.C. -- A 12-year veteran wildlife officer was acting in self-defense when he shot and killed a hunter Saturday morning in Wilkes County, according to a statement from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Officials said officer Mark Minton was patrolling an area off Cain Creek Road at about 7:30 a.m. when he came into contact with 76-year-old Clyde Coffey, of Lenoir.

Capt. Rusty Hunter with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission said an armed confrontation between the two prompted Minton to shot Coffey one time, killing him.

"There is no evidence to suggest the officer confused the hunter with an animal," Hunter said. "It appears, from all information gathered, the officer was protecting himself. And I don't know any further details than that."

Hunter said Minton was patrolling the area, checking for bait traps, bag limits and hunting licenses. Saturday was the first day of spring turkey season in North Carolina.

The shooting happened in a wooded area on the property, which is owned by Coffey's family. Authorities said Minton had called for backup. According to North Carolina law, wildlife officers are allowed on private property for wildlife-related investigations.

The NCWRD statement said its investigation of the incident had been turned over to the State Bureau of Investigation.

Coffey's family members said Sunday they doubt Minton's claim that he was provoked. "He was taken from us and he was shot on his own land minding his own business. Who shoots a 76-year-old on his own land?" Coffey's daughter told WXII12 news.

"He was a family man who loved his family," she added. "They were the center of his world. This was totally senseless. He was the best father, and grandfather and great-grandfather."

Family members said Coffey had gone out hunting with his son and grandsons, but it wasn't known if any of the family members had witnessed the incident.

Minton is on paid administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

This is the first wildlife officer-involved shooting in almost 25 years

 

[paintballdude902]

dang!

where is wilkes county? i know where lenoir is. i live in cravena nd hunt in jones

too bad for both men

when you take a life its a life changing experience my father still hasnt fully recovered from vietnam

i would really like i stay up to date on this id like to know what the official story will be


its possible that the hunter did point his shot gun at the officer and the officer is telling the truth but its also possible that the officer thought he was point at himwhen he wasnt

either way something had to have happened for him to call in back up


i didnt make it out saturday due to rain

 

[hossdaniels]

wilkesboro, north wilkesboro used to have the old race track.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

the WO shot and killed a man on his own property? he better be able to prove self-defense for sure.
that's going just a little too far IMO. the WO had the option to back away until later on when he had another officer w/him.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

he better be able to prove self-defense for sure.

There's ONE witness (left). Shouldn't be hard to prove anything he wishes to. No one knows or will ever know for sure what went down, EXACTLY. Most likely the old man got riled that the ranger was on his land checking up on him and threatened him with the gun, but who knows?

 

[buck460XVR]

the WO shot and killed a man on his own property? he better be able to prove self-defense for sure.
that's going just a little too far IMO. the WO had the option to back away until later on when he had another officer w/him.

What, being on you own property entitles one to confront a LEO with a loaded gun? Would it make you feel better if it was a domestic abuse complaint than a hunting violation? When is protecting yourself from being killed going too far? And how did you come up with the opinion that the officer had the option to "back out"? You got inside information or just hate LEOs in general?

According to North Carolina law, wildlife officers are allowed on private property for wildlife-related investigations

In other words there must have been evidence of a violation in order for the WO to enter the victims property. Maybe a neighbor called it in or maybe the old guy was known for being a habitual violator. Other reports I have read said there was evidence of baiting involved. Either way the victim was armed and I doubt very likely that the WO shot the old fart just for kicks. My bet is when the truth comes out, the old guy was doing something illegal, but believed since it was on his own property he could do it. When confronted by the officer he pointed the gun at the officer and told him to "get off his land''. When he didn't put the weapon down and cocked the hammer or took off the safety, the officer did what he had to do. This is my opinion based on my experience with old southern rednecks and veteran WOs.

 

[Bowhunter57]

The GW stated he was checking out reports of baiting in the area, but no baiting was apparent in this case.

* The only shot fired was from the service revolver of the GW...into the chest of 76 year old Mr. Coffey.
* Mr. Coffey was on his own property and this was prior knowledge of the GW, so why didn't he just go back to his house and wait for him?
* Mr. Coffey's son was a LEO too.
* Mr. Coffey was hard of hearing. Perhaps there was some miscommunication.

There's no sound reasoning to pushing a situation from bad to worse and costing the life of a human...for a turkey. A very unfortunate set of circumstances for both sides.

Until the State Bureau of Investigation has completed their investigation and turned over their findings to the Prosecutor's Office, the GW is on paid administrative leave.

Here's the local news interview with Mr. Coffey's daughter:
www.myfox8.com/wghp-hunter-killed-090412,0,4986126.story

Here's the Wilkes County Community forum:
www.gowilkes.com/voice/view/?e=&start20&msg=47858&h=224110

Here's the Journal Patriot newspaper article:
www.journalpatriot.com/fullstory.asp?id=1252

Prayers go out to everyone involved.
Good hunting, Bowhunter57

 

[MCgunner]

the WO shot and killed a man on his own property? he better be able to prove self-defense for sure.
that's going just a little too far IMO. the WO had the option to back away until later on when he had another officer w/him.

No, the state will have to prove that he DIDN'T act in self defense. See, that's how our justice system works. Frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[rbernie]

Under discussion here, in Legal:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=442907