Father Kills Son in Hunting Accident After Mistaking Him for Turkey

[Chenango]

 

Father Kills Son in Hunting Accident After Mistaking Him for Turkey

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.

[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.

[Dixie Dude]

I do not hunt with people who drink, or who shoot bushes.  Identify your target, plain and simple.  Does Minnesota have a hunter safety course?  I know I was grandfathered in here in Alabama, but I took the course anyway for use out west. 

[Beers]

This crap happens every damn turkey season... Makes me so mad I cant see straight. This is worse than usual. 9 year old sitting by himself out there....

I'm with Bill, charge 'em with murder. There is NO LEGITIMATE EXCUSE for shooting someone in the woods.

[quickdtoo]

I agree, the father should be held accountable and prosecuted, they're still investigating, maybe that will still happen.

Here's a bit more detail.

Tim

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/17956264.html

8-year-old Belle Plaine boy killed in hunting accident

By CHAO XIONG, Star Tribune

Last update: April 21, 2008 - 2:06 PM

Anthony Klaseus had no reason to think that his hunting companion -- his 8-year-old son -- was nearby as he waited for wild turkeys to come within range Saturday evening in Sibley County.

The 39-year-old Belle Plaine man had told the boy, Hunter, to stay where he was -- well out of range -- as he stalked the wildfowl near County Road 6 in Faxon Township, about 3 miles west of Belle Plaine.

But Hunter, caught up in the excitement of the chase and eager to catch up with his dad, headed toward him.

Hunter, dressed in camouflage, was 20 to 30 yards away, in a grassy area near the woods where his father stood, when his father mistook him for a turkey and fired his 12-gauge shotgun, said Sibley County Sheriff Bruce Ponath.

Hunter was hit in the chest.

"To say that he was distraught would be an understatement," the sheriff said of the father.

Klaseus called 911 from his cell phone at 6:25 p.m.

Klaseus then carried his wounded son about a quarter-mile to where emergency personnel could get to him, Ponath said.

But efforts to revive the boy failed and Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene.

The shooting remains under investigation, but the sheriff characterized it as a tragic accident.

Last year, two people died in hunting accidents in Minnesota, according to a report released this month by the state Department of Natural Resources. There were 23 incidents of hunters being shot at, either by themselves, others in their hunting party, strangers or, in one case, a dog.

Hunter's family did not return calls Sunday.

Pat Pribyl, principal at Raven Stream Elementary School in New Prague, where Hunter was a third-grader, echoed the feelings of many when he said, "A lot of people are in shock. It just doesn't seem possible."

Hunter was an active, eager student who wrestled in a children's league and loved the outdoors, Pribyl said. He recently had written and illustrated a book about hunting with his father for a class.

"He was an intelligent little boy," he said. "Fun-loving, full of energy."

On Sunday, Raven Stream's faculty members were informed of Hunter's death. They will meet this morning before school to talk about how to help his fellow students cope with his death.

Teachers will talk to their classes about the accident and counselors will be available, Pribyl said. Counselors also will ride the school bus Hunter took each morning.

Pribyl said that he spoke with Hunter's mother Sunday and that funeral plans are pending. "She was very shook up and for lack of a better word, devastated," he said.

In addition to his parents, Hunter is survived by two sisters, Alison, 11, and Ashley, 12.

Chao Xiong • 612-673-4391

     
 

[GRIMJIM]

Every year there are stories of people getting accidentally shot. Is it the father's fault?YES! Should he be prosecuted? YES! But having children of my own I can't for a minute imagine what this guy is going through. I honestly don't think I could go on living with that. I'm going to stop now and go hug my kids.

[torpedoman]

there is no court that can punish him more than he will punish himself. STUPID yes in many things. Guilty beyond a doubt. needs no further punishment.

[Graybeard]

Accident my ass. If you can't tell the difference between a turkey (gobblers ONLY are legal in ALL spring seasons I'm aware of) and a nine year old boy then you have no damn business owning a gun or going into the woods. Such a person is too stupid to be allowed to handle anything mor dangerous than a spoon as a fork and knife are far beyond their abilities.

Say what you want but if they did deep enough I suspect the dad wanted the kid dead for whatever reason he might have had. No one is really that stupid as to mistake a nice year old kid for a turkey gobbler at 20-30 yards. Is he blind as well as stupid? Hang his ass.

You don't stalk turkeys with a shotgun and you don't leave a nine year old kid in the woods alone. If he left the kid and stalked away after turkeys how did the kid get between him and the turkeys? Nope this was no accident it was stupid negligence or just plain murder.

[plottrunner]

I totally agree with what GB said.... A 12 gauge even with turkey loads is not going to kill someone at a distance that you cannot identify your prey..... This guy had to be sound shooting.............What a very sad situation and this guy will suffer the rest of his life knowing what he did but he should never be allowed to handle so much as a pocket knife again.

[Kragman71]

Hello
I cannot believe that this is a case of prematated murder.I do believe that it is a case of stupid indifference.
The perpetrator has already been punished with the loss of his Son,and the loss of any respect that he had as a Hunter.
I believe that he should be ordered to serve community service for at least a year.This would include being available for every hunter safety course that it is possible for him to attend,to tell his story.
Frank

[SHOOTALL]

i still find it hard that a FATHER would leave his 9 year old alone . If the trip included the son it should have been for him at that age . The trip should have been to teach the boy , the father should have kept the son close and gave instruction and showed him woods craft and hunting skill .
It sounds like the father wanted a bird more than he wanted his son to get one .
and don't even start with the kid could not sit still . If so then be with him and point out why he failed and how to improve . BE A DAD !
Yes the father has suffered ! but how much ? he did abandon the kid in the woods !

[Kragman71]

i still find it hard that a FATHER would leave his 9 year old alone . If the trip included the son it should have been for him at that age . The trip should have been to teach the boy , the father should have kept the son close and gave instruction and showed him woods craft and hunting skill .
It sounds like the father wanted a bird more than he wanted his son to get one .
and don't even start with the kid could not sit still . If so then be with him and point out why he failed and how to improve . BE A DAD !
Yes the father has suffered ! but how much ? he did abandon the kid in the woods !

That part does bother me,too.
As a Father,I would not consider leaving a child,that young,alone in the woods.
If I deemed him mature enough to accompany  me on a hunt,he would be by my side,where I could council him and watch him.If I thought that he might lessen my chance to bag a turkey,and the turkey was more important then my son,I would leave the boy at home.
Frank

[six_gunz]

I suspect the dad wanted the kid dead for whatever reason he might have had. No one is really that stupid as to mistake a nice year old kid for a turkey gobbler at 20-30 yards. Is he blind as well as stupid? Hang his ass.

I was thinking the same thing....at 20-30yds and couldn't tell it was his own kid? c'mon this is no accident IMO!!!

[billy_56081]

1: The spring turkey season is gobblers only.

2: It has been reported the this man did not even have a valid turkey license.

3: What the he!! was this idiot doing shooting at what he could not positively identify a legal turkey? (The bag limit for spring wild turkey is one (1) wild turkey with a visible beard.)

4: He was trespassing!

 Even though the law will never be able to punish the complete idiot as much as he has punished himself, I hope they do charge him with everything they can and give him the maximum sentence allowed under the notoriously  criminally friendly Minnesota system.

[Mikey]

"Even though the law will never be able to punish the complete idiot as much as he has punished himself" - are you really sure about that billy?? 

This isn't a hunting accident, it is murder.  Whether born of intention or stupidity it is murder.  Will the father 'suffer' - I'm not so sure.

If this were neu yawk there would be a murder investigation already in place.  This was no accident.  Mikey.

[torpedoman]

when my sons were hunting with me they were never out of arms reach until they were well into their teens. I find it hard to teach someone who is 20 ft away.

[Varmint Hunter]

I'm not sure what the appropriate action is based on the limited information provided. The only thing that I can add to what has already been posted is that this is an incredibly sad event.

I am the father of two children. I am always worried about them. There are many potential dangers that they may encounter and I try to educate them about as many  as possible. I'm not paranoid but I just want my kids to be safe. If I was ever the cause of their death, I can't even imagine how I would cope with it.

This is a very tragic story.

[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

   
 

[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=

[GRIMJIM]

I wouldn't be surprised at all to find he doesn't make it to trial. I personally don't think I could go on living after something like this.

[1marty]

Sounds like he was drugged and drunk. This year I passed up a 10 point buck because my buddy may have been in the line of fire in the woods.
I feel sad he lost his kid but this was not only stupid but criminal too.

[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