MD Hunter Mistook Woman For Deer Before Deadly Shooting: Police

ELLENDALE, DE — A Salisbury hunter faces manslaughter and other felony charges after police said he mistook a woman for a deer and fatally shot her in Delaware.

Walter Moorhead, 74, was charged with manslaughter, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and three counts of first-degree reckless endangering following the Friday incident. He was released after posting a $43,000 cash bond.

According to police, the 39-year-old Georgetown woman was walking through an open field with a man and two children when Moorhead fired from a ground blind near South Old State Road and East Robbins Road. Police said Moorhead believed he saw a deer.

Troopers responded around 7:40 p.m. and provided emergency medical care before the woman was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police did not release her name pending notification of her family.

Moorhead remained at the scene and was taken into custody, police said. The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is investigating.