Father Kills Son in Hunting Accident After Mistaking Him for Turkey

[Chenango]

 
Sunday, April 20, 2008

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. —  The Sibley County Sheriff says that a man who accidentally shot and killed his 9-year-old son while they were hunting apparently mistook the boy for a turkey.

Sheriff Bruce Ponath says that Anthony Klaseus of Belle Plaine and his son Hunter were hunting turkey about three miles west of Belle Plaine around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when Klaseus shot his son in the chest with a 12 gauge shotgun.

Klaseus dialed 911 on his cell phone. Emergency responders pronounced the boy dead at the scene.

"He was absolutely panicked. That would be an understatement," Ponath said. "Very distraught."

Ponath said the shooting was an accident but that his department is continuing to investigate the circumstances.


  With close to 20 years of Turkey hunting experience I can't imagine how this stuff happens. Its mind boggling. This guy has got to be a wreck and will probably be a wreck his whole life. Have a successful season but be careful out there guys.

[mjbgalt]

what i heard was that he dropped the boy off and said "stay here" and the boy apparently didn't- maybe he got bored and went looking for a better spot?

-Matt

[Graybeard]

BS! No one in their right mind leaves a nine year old sitting on his own to hunt turkeys. I suspect that's a violation of law right there in almost every state in the union. Plus it's down right STUPID. On top of that for him to be close enough for a blast from the shotgun to have killed him he should have been within a range that the father could tell it was not a turkey.

The STUPID IDIOT of a dad shot at movement in the woods hoping it was a turkey all the while having absolutely NO REASON to believe such. I am a firm believer that all such cases of "mistaken identity" of target that results in death of a human should be charged as FIRST DEGREE MURDER. Clearly the intent was to KILL what was being shot at that is after all what our intent always is when hunting. Since the intended target turned out to be a human that makes it first degree murder as it damn sure was premeditated that death would result and a human was shot. There is absolute NO EXCUSE for shooting a human under the mistaken impression they are a target animal.

It is your and ONLY YOUR responsibility to know damn well what you are shooting at BEFORE you pull the trigger.

[six_gunz]

Bill, I can't agree more with what you said. It is the law here that a minor has to accompanied at ALL times with an adult and be under their DIRECT supervision while hunting. I would never leave one of my boys and go off on my own. Something is NOT right with this story...just not right at all.

[SHOOTALL]

GRAYBEARD , that's right !
I can't think of any excuse that works . How the he-- did ya know it was a gobbler if ya can't tell the difference between a human and a turkey ?
this is stupidity not an accident !

[Mohawk]

  It sounds suspicious. For a person to be DRT on scene from a turkey load in the chest means the range is VERY close. Something doesn't sound right. Cops should talk to the mother.

[Jal5]

I agree with GB...we are the sole person responsible whenever we aim that weapon. any hunting instruction however minimal it might be states that point over and over again. What a shame!

[Hairtrigger]

It is your and ONLY YOUR responsibility to know damn well what you are shooting at BEFORE you pull the trigger.

Kid or adult this is VERY true
no excuses and perhaps 20 years of "experience" were not enough for this guy

[SHOOTALL]

sounds like he wanted a turkey more than a son or he would have shared the hunt beside his son not parking him some where , should have left him at home ! would have been safer !

[quickdtoo]

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/18608114.html

Charges: Hunter who killed son had beer, pot in his system
By CHAO XIONG, Star Tribune

Last update: May 5, 2008 - 11:37 PM


The Belle Plaine man who fatally shot his 8-year-old son in the chest last month while turkey hunting had alcohol and marijuana in his system at the time, according to a felony second-degree manslaughter charge filed Monday.

Anthony Klaseus, 39, told authorities that he told his son, Hunter, to stay put as he circled a field to approach turkeys sometime after 5 p.m. April 19 in a field east of Crahan Lane near County Road 6 in Sibley County, according to charges filed in Sibley County District Court.

Klaseus called to the turkeys. They called back and moved toward him.

"Then I heard something snap or break near me, and a large figure rose up," he told authorities. "I thought it was a turkey, and I shot and it went down. I thought I shot the turkey. Then my son jumped back up screaming and then fell back down."

Hunter, dressed in full camouflage and wearing a hood, looked like a "turkey fanning out," Klaseus told authorities. Department of Natural Resources regulations only allow hunters to shoot turkeys with visible beards, a feathered appendage on the breast.

Klaseus and paramedics performed CPR on Hunter, but he died at the scene.

Klaseus took a breath test at the scene that registered a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.06 percent, the charges said. A urine test taken three hours after the shooting showed an ethyl alcohol concentration of 0.05 grams per 67 milliliters. It also showed that he had marijuana in his system, although the exact concentration won't be known for a few weeks.

Authorities said it's unclear exactly when he consumed the alcohol and marijuana.

Two 12-packs of beer, three six-packs of beer, an empty 24-pack of beer and a marijuana pipe were found in Klaseus' truck at the scene, the charges say. The packs of beer contained empty and full cans.

"That's just one side of the story," said Klaseus' attorney, Patrick Flanagan. "The family is distraught. They're trying to work through the loss of their son. They were hoping the county attorney would come up with a different conclusion."

Flanagan declined to address details revealed in the charges. The family did not want to comment, said Hunter's grandmother.

Hunter's death was the first turkey hunting fatality since turkey hunting began here in 1978. Last year, two people were fatally shot in hunting accidents in Minnesota. All told, in 2007, there were 23 incidents of hunters being shot at in the state.

"One of the 10 safety rules of hunting, besides being sure of your target, is not to consume ... alcohol or be on any kinds of drugs," said Al Thomas, executive director of Turn in Poachers, a nonprofit that promotes safe and ethical sportsmanship. "By following the rules of safe shooting, maybe it could've been prevented."

Klaseus is also charged with felony reckless discharge of a firearm and two misdemeanor charges: trespassing and hunting turkeys without a license. He was drawn to buy a license, but never made the $18 purchase.

Klaseus is scheduled to make his first court appearance May 22. He will not be arrested in connection with the charges.

He was cited by a DNR official for marijuana possession in 1996.

Chao Xiong • 612-673-4391

   
 

[Doublebass73]

Morons like this make me sick. I agree that anytime this happens it should be treated as murder.
Identify your target from tip to tail and you'll never have a problem. It's sad that this boy who loved
hunting had a drunk moron for a father. It's pretty scary that there are still hunters out there
that shoot at movement.

[six_gunz]

What keeps sticking in my mind about this is the fact that he shot this boy from 20-30yds away. How in hell could he not know (see) it was his boy and cleary not a turkey? I'm dumbfounded to this fact and it just sounds like something more....premeditated murder comes to mind.
Tim, thanks for keeping us updated

[quickdtoo]

Here's another news release with more details of the investigation.

Tim

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6466728&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Charges: Belle Plaine Dad Tested Positive For Marijuana, Alcohol After Shooting Son 
Anthony Klaseus charged in son's hunting death 
Last Edited: Monday, 05 May 2008, 2:52 PM CDT 
Created: Monday, 05 May 2008, 2:13 PM CDT 
 



BELLE PLAINE, Minn. -- Anthony Klaseus has been charged with second degree manslaughter in the hunting death of his 9-year-old son, Hunter. Klaseus has admitted to shooting his son, but maintains it was an accident. After the shooting, a urine test found alcohol and marijuana in his system.

THE SHOOTING

According to the criminal complaint, Klaseus shot his son, mistaking the child for turkey. Police in Sibley County responded to the shooting around 6:25 p.m. on April 19 and found Hunter Klaseus with pellet wounds through his neck and torso. The boy was dressed in camouflage and a t-shirt.

Paramedics attempted CPR, but Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene. Klaseus was covered in blood and police say he was “extremely distraught.”

'I JUST SHOT MY SON'

“I just shot my son, I just shot my son,” Klaseus told police. “How could I shoot and kill my son. I told him to stay put, while I tried to get closer to the turkeys.”

Klaseus said he heard a snapping sound and saw something pop up. He fired, thinking it was a turkey, but hit Hunter, who jumped up screaming before falling back down. Immediately realizing he shot his son, Klaseus called 911, started to carry him toward the road so they could be found and attempted CPR.

INITIAL INVESTIGATION

Klaseus showed police where the shooting occurred, which had turkeys in the area. He pointed out high grass, blood spots and spent shells near the shooting scene.

TRESPASSING

The land on which the Anthony and Hunter Klaseus were hunting was owned by Edward Townsend, who says the father and son did not have permission to hunt on the grounds.

BEER, MARIJUANA PIPE FOUND IN TRUCK

A Chevy Silverado truck registered to Klaseus was found near the scene of the shooting. When executing a search warrant of the truck on April 21, police found beer and a marijuana pipe. The following items were recovered by police in the search:

12-pack of Icehouse beer, with 7 full bottles
A brown bag, with a 6-pack of Icehouse beer inside, containing one full bottle
A 12-pack of Icehouse beer with 8 empty bottles
A brown paper bag with a 6-pack of Icehouse beer, with five empty bottles
A brown paper bag with a 6-pack of Coors Light, with 4 empty bottles and a receipt dated Apr. 16
An empty 24-pack of Budweiser
2 empty Busch Light beer cans
A “one hitter” marijuana pipe with residue with the odor of burnt marijuana


On April 29, the Minnesota BCA received the results of Anthony Klaseus’ urine test, which was taken three hours after the shooting. The test found alcohol in his system and indicated marijuana was in his system at the time of the shooting.

OTHER CHARGES

Klaseus has also been charged for reckless discharge of a firearm, trespassing and hunting turkeys without a license.

DNR records show Klaseus didn’t buy the $18 license needed to hunt turkey, even though his name was drawn in a license lottery making him eligible to hunt during the five-day turkey season.

COURT APPEARANCE

Klaseus will make his first appearance in Sibley County District Court at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 22.
 
 

[quickdtoo]

The latest news on the case...

http://www.startribune.com/local/19179464.html?location_refer=Local%20+%20Metro

Hunter who shot son released while case is pending
Associated Press

Last update: May 22, 2008 - 1:29 PM


GAYLORD, Minn. - A Belle Plaine man charged in the accidental fatal shooting of his 8-year-old son will stay out of jail while his court case proceeds.

Anthony Klaseus was released Thursday morning on his own recognizance during a hearing in Sibley County District Court.

Klaseus is charged with with second-degree manslaughter. Klasesus and his son, Hunter, where hunting April 19 when he said he mistook the boy for a turkey and fired.

Court records indicate that the 39-year-old Klaseus had alcohol and marijuana in his system at the time of the shooting.

As a condition of his release, Klaseus was ordered not to consume alcohol and submit to random testing for drugs and alcohol. He also can't possess firearms.

Klaseus is also charged with felony reckless discharge of a firearm and misdemeanor charges of trespassing and hunting without a license.

His next hearing is scheduled for June 19.

 

[quickdtoo]

Video...

http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=69863&bw=

[quickdtoo]

Anthony Klaseus pleads guilty to 2nd degree manslaughter

By CHAO XIONG, Star Tribune

Last update: June 19, 2008 - 3:54 PM

GAYLORD, MINN. -- The Belle Plaine man charged with fatally shooting his 8-year-old son while turkey hunting pleaded guilty today to second-degree manslaughter in Sibley County District Court.

The other charges against Anthony Klaseus, 40, were dropped: reckless discharge of a firearm and two misdemeanors: trespassing and hunting turkeys without a license.

The criminal complaint showed that Klaseus had alcohol and marijuana in his system when he shot his son, Hunter, in the chest on the evening of April 19.

"It was a tough decision, debating whether to go to trial or not," Klaseus' attorney, Patrick Flanagan, said after the court hearing. "In the end, Anthony just believed that this was the best result for him and his family so they can begin the important healing portion."

Flanagan said he and his client were weighing the plea offer from the start, but only decided to accept it an hour before today's hearing.

Klaseus said little during the hearing, only affirming the sequence of events in questions posed to him. At one point, he broke down in tears and a deputy handed him tissue while Flanagan patted him on the back.

Among the eight or so supporters of Klaseus at the hearing were his wife, Amber, his parents and a sister.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 25. Flanagan declined to comment on what punishment Klaseus might receive.

The Klaseus family recently moved from Belle Plaine, Flanagan said, but still lives in the area.

According to the charges: Klaseus and Hunter were on the edge of a field east of Crahan Lane near County Rd. 6 in Sibley County about 5 p.m. when they spotted some turkeys. Klaseus told his son to stay put as he circled the field to approach them.

He called to the turkeys. They moved toward him. He heard something snap or break near him and then saw a figure rise up. He shot the object, thinking it was a turkey.

"Then my son jumped back up screaming and then fell back down," he told authorities as stated in the complaint.

Hunter, dressed in full camouflage, had wandered up near his father.

Klaseus took a breath test at the scene that registered a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.06 percent, the complaint said. A urine test revealed the presence of marijuana; the exact concentration was not disclosed.

Several partially empty beer packs and a marijuana pipe were found in his truck at the scene, the complaint said.

Chao Xiong • 612-673-4391

 

http://www.startribune.com/local/20570324.html?location_refer=Most%20Emailed:Homepage

[quickdtoo]

Father gets 30 days in jail for shooting son while hunting
 
 In Minnesota, hunting is more than tradition. It's how many people live their lives.

And that's how it was for the Klaseus family of Belle Plaine. Like thousands of Minnesota families, Anthony Klaseus and his 9-year-old son Hunter, hunted together.

But what happens when tradition turns to tragedy?

It did last April in Sibley County.

Anthony Klaseus shot and killed his young son while the two were turkey hunting. Klaseus mistook the boy, who was wearing camouflage clothing, for a turkey, and fired. Authorities found alcohol and traces of marijuana in Anthony Klaseus' system.

He pleaded guilty to second degree manslaughter and was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail. Each day he'll be allowed to leave jail for work, but will spend the night behind bars. Klaseus will be on probation for ten years and was also sentenced to community work service. Part of the time, he'll have to teach hunter safety to others.

"I said it was the most egregious act," says assistant Sibley County attorney Don Lannoye. Lannoye points to the fact that Klaseus had been drinking and used a firearm. Lannoye says he was also hunting without a license.

"It's very, very hard. You can imagine that vision in your head everyday?every single time he goes to sleep, tr y to get through that," says Klaseus' defense attorney Patrick Flanagan.

This was no doubt a tough case - a father accidentally shooting his own son. But the judge refused to call it an accident, telling Anthony Klaseus he had a duty to hunt safely and he didn't.

Klaseus was very emotional throughout Monday's hearing. He simply told the judge he would do anything to take that day back.

 

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=522862&catid=2

[mjh]

I live in MN, I would't wish this situation on anybody.  But give me a break 30 days!! Yea he'll live with it the rest of his life and he as all sorts of probationary conditions but 30 days!!!  Give him a year and a day and all the probationary conditions. He's gonna need help for a long time why not in prison to get him started. 

Another thing that gets me going on this is the media and even our state Outdoor News contiues to call this a "hunting accident". No way in hell, this was  a hunting accident.  Hunting without a license even if he did qualify but not purchase one is poaching.  Hunting on private property without permission is trespass.  Hunting under the influence is also against the law. Yea want to have a few after the hunt fine but before, well I've gotta a few problems with that.  Most of these charges were droped. Spineless prosecuter.  I don't want to start a tradition of giving people who break hunting laws an easier time cause they happened to have done something even more horrendous that will effect theirs and others lives for a very long time.  I don't think you have to go overboard with prosecution and punishment but damn 30days and little boys dead!

[buck460XVR]

I live in MN, I would't wish this situation on anybody.  But give me a break 30 days!! Yea he'll live with it the rest of his life and he as all sorts of probationary conditions but 30 days!!!  Give him a year and a day and all the probationary conditions. He's gonna need help for a long time why not in prison to get him started. 

Another thing that gets me going on this is the media and even our state Outdoor News contiues to call this a "hunting accident". No way in hell, this was  a hunting accident.  Hunting without a license even if he did qualify but not purchase one is poaching.  Hunting on private property without permission is trespass.  Hunting under the influence is also against the law. Yea want to have a few after the hunt fine but before, well I've gotta a few problems with that.  Most of these charges were droped. Spineless prosecuter.  I don't want to start a tradition of giving people who break hunting laws an easier time cause they happened to have done something even more horrendous that will effect theirs and others lives for a very long time.  I don't think you have to go overboard with prosecution and punishment but damn 30days and little boys dead!

+1 mjh. I agree. Had his victim been anyone other than his own son, he would've(and properly so) been crucified. It coulda very easily have been the land-owner's son shot while checkin' out the trespasser......or another turkey hunter that had permission to hunt there. I have the deepest of sympathy for all the other members of the young boy's family, but none for the father. He was an accident waiting to happen and unfortunately it was his son that paid the price.

 ...........and the part about him having to teach hunter education as part of his sentencing. I'm thinkin' a drug/alcohol abuser, that trespasses, hunts without a license, and has by his own stupidity/intoxication killed his 8yr old son after mistaking him for a turkey, is not the type of role model I want teachin' young hunters ethics and gun safety.

[crow_feather]

I was standing about ten feet behind a man that shot his 13 year old daughter thinking she was a fox.  It was such a terrible scream that came from her, I still can hear it in my mind 8 years later.  He put 22 No. 2 shot into her back and side.  One pellet stopped 1/2 inch from her heart and one pellet punctered her lung.

He would not let her wear hunter orange because it scared the ducks, and he sent her ahead of us on the island that we were on as she was deer hunting and he thought that we would push deer to her.  He wasn't charged with anything and didn't even lose his hunting license. 

Some people have accidents, others cause things to happen. 

[SHOOTALL]

crow feather , how do you shoot someone by accident if you ID it ?
Maybe someone hidden , but how do you ID a a girl for a fox , orange or not ?

[Singleshotsam]

I've got to go with greybeard on this one...