In Russia, a hunter accidentally shot a man dead, mistaking him for an animal

Investigative authorities in the Kirov region have opened a criminal case against a hunter who shot a man in the forest, mistaking him for an animal.

This was reported by the regional directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

"After the body of a hunter was discovered in the Luzsky district, a criminal case was opened on the grounds of a crime under Part 1 of Article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (causing death by negligence)," the statement said.

According to investigators, on September 18 two men were in the hunting grounds of the Luzsky district. The 49-year-old suspect fired a hunting carbine in the direction of an indistinctly visible target and hit the 38-year-old victim. The latter died from the resulting chest wound.

Investigators examined the scene of the incident, seized the murder weapon, cartridges and shell casings, and a range of forensic examinations has been ordered.