02/10/2010: "Shotgun Blast Nicks Neighbor's Neck"

An attempt to get rid of otters under a house landed a 32 year old San Juan County Man in jail when a misplaced 20 gauge shotgun blast of three rounds sent pellets traveled across his property, with one of the pellets grazing a neighbor's neck.

SJC Sherriff Bill Cumming said that the neighbor was unhurt -the pellet did not break the skin- the pellet had the potential to have opened an artery, and the result could have been catastrophe. As it was, the shooter was arrested, jailed and Cumming said the man was released Wednesday morning pending further investigation; that is expected to be completed by Wednesday night.

Cumming said “we take it very seriously in terms of use of a weapon after hours in such a reckless manner, that hit somebody.” He added that it “is also illegal to kill otters, so that information will be passed on to {Washington] Fish & Wildlife for their information” and any action they may decide to take.

In addition to the report to Fish & Wildlife, the results of the investigation will be forwarded to the SJC Prosecutor for filing of charges of “reckless endangerment.”