BECKER, Minn. — Two children accidentally shot their mentors Sunday during Minnesota's youth deer season weekend, according to law enforcement.
A 12-year-old girl accidentally shot her 45-year-old father as she was participating in a youth hunting event in Becker, according to the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office. She shot a deer, then accidentally fired a second shot that hit her father's leg around 8 a.m. A family member helped put a tourniquet on his leg until emergency responders arrived.
Becker firefighters responded to the scene to get him out of the deer stand, and the victim was taken to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale for treatment.
Sunday's second incident came about two hours later when a 10-year-old accidentally shot their 50-year-old mentor through both buttocks in Helga Township, according to the Hubbard County Sheriff's Office. Investigators reported that Gary Peters had taken the 10-year-old out that morning for the youth deer hunting season.
When they returned to the truck, Peters instructed the youngster to unload the rifle, and while attempting to do so the child accidentally squeezed the trigger while Peters was standing in the line of fire. Sheriff's officials say the bullet went through both of his buttocks. Peters was transported to Sanford Hospital in Bemidji before being airlifted to a Fargo hospital due to the seriousness of his injuries.
Minnesota's youth deer season was open from Oct. 19-22. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said that children ages 10 to 17 are allowed participate, though ages 10 to 13 must be accompanied by a guardian who is not hunting.
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