Man Shoots His Own Hand In Upstate New York

The story you are about to read involves 3 out-of-state residents, a convicted felon, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers, deer and one hand nearly blown off by a rifle. You won't believe this.

In November of 2024, according to a press release, New York State DEC officers investigated an alleged shooting incident in Washington County. The initial report indicated potential poaching. In the end no deer were killed but a man's hand was shot from inside the vehicle he was sitting in.

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Following an investigation it was determined that, on Saturday November 30, 2024, 3 Vermont residents crossed the border and entered New York through the town of Salem. It is believed that this crew was in search of deer to shoot.

Once they spotted a buck, the driver attempted to shoot the animal from the vehicle but pulled the firearm back inside when a truck pulled up behind them. At that time the rifle discharged inside the vehicle and a bullet went through the driver's hand and out the door.

Photo by Tanner Marquis on Unsplash

The 3 individuals then returned to Vermont to report the incident. They claimed that the shooting occurred in Vermont but during the investigation the shooter admitted the incident took place in New York.

New York State officials interviewed the 3 suspects and arrested the shooter, a convicted felon, for the following charges;

Criminal possession of a weapon
Hunting without a license
Possession of a loaded gun in a motor vehicle
Discharging a firearm over a highway
Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a farm structure

The shooter spent 5 days at Albany Medical Center recovering from his injuries. The other 2 subjects received a total of 7 tickets related to the shooting.

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