Wildlife officer won't face charges in shooting of turkey hunter

Friday, July 03, 2009 6:49 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

WINSTON-SALEM (AP) — State wildlife officials say a veteran officer who used to be assigned to Rowan County won't face charges for fatally shooting a turkey hunter.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission said state and local investigators have determined that Officer Mark Minton was reasonably responding to the threat of deadly force.

Officials have said Minton was patrolling in Wilkes County on the first day of turkey hunting season in April when the confrontation occurred and the officer shot and killed 76-year-old Clyde Coffey of Caldwell County.

The shooting happened on private property in the Cane Creek area of Wilkes County. Minton was investigating a report of an illegally baited field.

Minton was assigned to Rowan County in 1997, his first assignment as a wildlife officer.

Gordon Myers, the executive director of the commission, said an internal investigation is ongoing.

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