Hunter Charged in Accidental Shooting of Woman Mistaken for Deer

A tragic incident occurred in Ellendale, Delaware, where a hunter mistakenly shot and killed a woman last week. Police reported that Walter Moorhead, 74, faces serious charges, including manslaughter and reckless endangerment, after fatally shooting Santos Maria Chilel Soto, 39.

The unfortunate event happened on Friday evening, as Moorhead, of Salisbury, Maryland, misread the situation during a hunt. Delaware State Police stated Moorhead was crouched in an open field, believing he saw a deer, and fired his rifle in the direction where Soto was walking with a man and two children.

Troopers arrived at the scene around 7:40 p.m. They provided emergency medical care to Soto before transporting her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

In addition to the manslaughter charge, Moorhead faces charges related to the possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, along with three counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree. State police continue their investigation and urge anyone with relevant information to contact them directly or provide tips through Delaware Crime Stoppers.

Following the incident, the evangelical church in Georgetown, Delaware, where Soto was a member, expressed their sorrow and shared an obituary. The church wrote, “It is with deep sorrow that our church announces the passing of our beloved sister in Christ, Maria Chilel Soto.” They offered prayers and support to her family and held services in her honor, sharing videos on social media.

Soto’s family started a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and the cost of sending her body to Guatemala, her native country, where she will be buried. As of Monday morning, the campaign had raised $4,500 toward its $6,500 goal.

This incident is reminiscent of another tragic case about a year ago when a teenager in rural Iowa died after a fellow hunter mistook him for a squirrel.