Jasonville mushroom hunter struck by stray bullet
COALMONT -- A 42-year-old mushroom hunter suffered a broken leg Sunday afternoon when he was struck by an apparent stray bullet.
Charles Bickel, Jasonville, was hunting mushrooms on family-owned property near Coalmont in Sullivan County when the apparently accidental shooting occurred. The original 911 call was received at 4:20 p.m.
Indiana Conservation Officers responded to the scene and located a bullet by the aid of a metal detector.
A 9mm handgun was also seized from an 18-year-old man, who reportedly had been target shooting in the area. The man, whose identity was not released by authorities, had been target shooting more than 2,000 feet away from where Bickel was struck.
Conservation Officer Matt Landis is conducting a criminal investigation regarding the incident.
Bickel was transported to Sullivan Community Hospital by family members.
Indiana Conservation Officers would like to remind firearms owners:
-- When shooting a firearm you should always shoot into an area that has a suitable backstop. A suitable backstop could be a large mound of dirt or a hill. Never shoot into a hard, flat surface or water.
-- Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it.