Date: Fri 22-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

hunting-accident-Paugussett

Full Text:

Hunting Accident Investigation Continues

The investigation into the recent shooting death of Bridgeport hunter Scott A.

DiBecelle, 28, in Lower Paugussett State Forest in Sandy Hook "is still an

active, open investigation," state police spokesman Sergeant Dale Hourigan

said Wednesday.

At about 4:30 pm on November 2, when it was starting to get dark, Mr DiBecelle

was fatally wounded by a shotgun blast from an unnamed hunter, according to

state police. Mr DiBecelle had been hunting small game, such as coyote and

squirrel, deep in the forest.

The adult male hunter who shot Mr DiBecelle was hunting for wild turkey in the

same general area, according to Sgt Hourigan. State police know the identity

of the man who shot Mr DiBecelle but have declined to disclose it. Sgt

Hourigan has said the shooting appears to be accidental.

State police are organizing the results of forensic tests, detectives'

reports, state medical examiner's reports, and witnesses' statements in their

investigation, Sgt Hourigan said.

State police will meet with the assistant state's attorney to determine if

there will be any criminal prosecution, according to the sergeant. It's

unclear when that meeting will happen.

Newtown emergency service workers encountered great difficulty in getting to

and from the scene of the hunting accident which took place in the woods about

1.5 miles from Great Quarter Road. The Lifestar helicopter, which had been

called to the hunting accident, provided searchlight illumination as it

hovered above emergency crews that walked out of the woods carrying Mr

DiBecelle in the darkness of night.