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March 8, 2010

Forest Ranger shot, killed by hunter at night

AP Associated Press

MACON — The U.S. Forest Service is investigating after a ranger was shot and killed in central Georgia by a hunter who apparently mistook him for a coyote.

WMAZ-TV in Macon reported that 37-year-old Christopher Arby Upton was shot while on patrol Friday night at the Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Recreation Area in the Oconee National Forest in Jasper County.

Ranger First Class Will Smith named the shooter as 40-year-old Norman Clinton Hale of McDonough. Hale and another man were hunting coyotes at night using a night vision scope that may have caught the reflection of the ranger’s eyes.

Smith says Upton was shot once and died instantly. Hale and his hunting partner dialed 911.

The U.S. Forest Service and the state Department of Natural Resources are investigating.

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