Cops: South Jersey Man Shot And Killed In Mercer County Hunting Accident

A 45-year-old New Jersey man was accidentally shot and killed while hunting in Mercer County on Saturday, police said.

While the investigation is ongoing, details indicate the Chesterfield man died from a single gunshot wound to the head and neck area from his own firearm, police said.

Police declined to identify the victim, who was found by police in a patch of woods, until his next of kin was notified.

At 4:16 p.m., West Windsor Police Officers were dispatched to the fields of 1201 Old Trenton Rd. in response to a hunting accident report. Officers quickly arrived and were directed to the victim, police said

Medics were also summoned, and although life saving attempts were made, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Detectives from the West Windsor Police Investigations Bureau and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force were dispatched to the scene and an investigation ensued.

The victim and his father were the only two people in the hunting party. The two had Canadian Geese decoys spread out in front of their blind, and were properly licensed to hunt the birds, police said.

“Although incredibly tragic, it is believed that the incident was solely an accident and condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim,” West Windsor police said in a statement.

An autopsy is scheduled for early next week.