A woman was shot dead after a hunter mistook her for a deer, according to Police.
New Yorker Rosemary Billquist, 43, from Sherman was walking her two Labradors when the incident occurred, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office revealed.
She had left her house on Wednesday evening at approximately 5.30 to go on a Thanksgiving walk.
A deer hunter called Thomas Jadlowski, 34, told officers that he mistook Mrs Billquist for a deer and fired a single shot.
Upon hearing Mrs Billquist scream, he went and investigated and found her 200 yards away.
He then called emergency services and applied pressure to the wound until help arrived.
Mrs Billquist was rushed to UPMC Harmot hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania where she was pronounced dead.
Mr Jadlowski has not been charged and has been cooperating with the investigation.
Mr Jadlowski reported the shooting at 5.24 pm, which is 40 minutes after sunset. According to New York State law it is illegal to hunt after sunset.
Jamie Billquist and his wife had been together 27 years. Speaking to the Independent he said: “I thought she was a beautiful person. Something drew me to her” .
He continued: “We've been together ever since... We decided years ago we didn't want kids. Just free spirits, I guess, kind of enjoying life and having fun.”
Friends and co-workers held a vigil for Mrs Billquist on Thursday night. They decorated a bench which she had donated to the hospital with electric tea lights, a yellow Labrador stuffed toy, and flowers.
Read More
MORE ABOUT