‘There’s just no excuse’: Nighttime hunter fatally shot woman thinking he heard deer, deputies say

Kristofer Kelle McDonald (WCSC).

Kristofer Kelle McDonald (WCSC).

A young South Carolina man is charged with fatally shooting a woman and injuring her husband while the couple was on a nighttime walk. Kristofer Kelle McDonald, 20, allegedly thought, based on the sounds of leaves and branches, that he heard a deer, according to the arrest warrant obtained by Charleston CBS affiliate WCSC.

Instead, deputies said he struck Lori Wind, 54, and her husband.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said that Wind, who they did not name, died at the scene, while her husband was taken to a hospital.

More Law&Crime coverage: Hunter accidentally shot hiker, ‘Thinking he was a turkey,’ police say

“Kristofer Kelle McDonald, 20, has been arrested and charged by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and involuntary manslaughter,” they wrote. “We have also charged McDonald with criminal negligent use of a firearm resulting in death, criminal negligent use of a firearm resulting in great bodily harm, and night hunting. This remains an active investigation.”

The shooting reportedly happened Tuesday night on Sawmill Branch Trail in the town Summerville at about 8:15 p.m. McDonald had been out illegally hunting, deputies said. He was armed with a 20-gague shotgun, and opened fire three or four times, they said.

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