American hunter fatally shoots 39-year-old woman in front of children: I thought she was a deer

A hunter from Maryland was recently jailed after allegedly fatally shooting a woman. He stated that he shot the victim after mistaking her for a deer.

Walter Moorhead, 74, was hunting from a blind in a field near Ellendale, Delaware, at around 7:40 on Friday evening, when he believed he saw a deer and fired his rifle. In fact, however, Moorhead shot and struck a woman as she walked through the field with two children.

State troopers who responded to a report of a woman shot with a firearm administered first aid. The 39-year-old was then taken to an area hospital for emergency treatment, but was pronounced dead there.

State police added that troopers investigating the case spoke with Moorhead, determined that he had fired the weapon that struck the woman, and arrested him. The agency said troopers arrested the perpetrator for manslaughter, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and reckless endangerment.

Delaware law defines manslaughter as recklessness causing the death of another person. The state considers manslaughter and firearm possession class B felonies punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Moorhead posted a $43,000 bond to secure his release from custody pending the outcome of the case, Delaware State Police said.