Fatal hunting accident: Hunter dies after being shot from 200 meters away

A tragic hunting accident occurred in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in which a 48-year-old hunter was fatally injured. The incident occurred on January 6, 2025 at the edge of the forest near Ruchow in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, when the hunter was hit by a bullet fired from a tree stand about 200 meters away, as World reported.

The fatal shot came from a 50-year-old hunter who was also on a tree stand. The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into negligent homicide, but has ruled out intentional action. The hunting party consisted of a total of four members, all of whom came from Lower Saxony and were equipped with night vision devices in the dark. However, it is unclear whether these devices were actually used during hunting, which was probably aimed at wild boar.

Investigation and autopsy

The injured man was hit in the neck area and died on the perch. Despite immediately alerting the police and emergency doctor, medical help was no longer possible. The autopsy of the killed hunter should provide further information about the gunshot wound; the results are expected at the end of the week, as NDR reported.

All participants in the hunting party will be questioned to clarify the circumstances. The vice president of the state hunting association, Henning Wetzel, also commented on possible safety violations in connection with hunting accidents and emphasized the importance of safety precautions in hunting practice.