A 39-year-old woman died in a tragic hunting incident in Delaware after a 74-year-old hunter mistook her for a deer and shot her, according to People. According to Delaware police, the shooting occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Friday, September 18, in an open field near the town of Ellendale.
Officers responded to a report of a gunshot and found the victim, María Chilet Soto of Georgetown, severely wounded. Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures at the scene before transporting her to a hospital, where medical staff pronounced her dead, according to police records.
Investigation and Charges Filed Against Hunter Walter Moorhead
Investigators determined that María Chilet Soto was walking through the field with a man and two children when the shooting took place, according to the Delaware police. Authorities spoke with a nearby hunter, 74-year-old Walter Moorhead of Salisbury, Maryland, and established that he had fired the shot that struck the victim.
According to investigators, Moorhead was inside a ground blind—a low camouflage structure used by hunters to observe wildlife without being easily spotted—when he believed he saw a deer, aimed his rifle, and fired. Moorhead has since been arrested and charged with manslaughter, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and three separate counts of reckless endangering, according to law enforcement officials. Court records show Moorhead was later released after posting a $43,000 bail.
Family Launches GoFundMe Campaign to Return Victim to Guatemala
Following the tragedy, relatives of María Chilet Soto created a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to cover funeral expenses and the cost of transporting her body back to her native Guatemala, according to the campaign organizers. The online fundraiser describes the 39-year-old victim as a beloved mother of five children whose life was abruptly cut short.
“María’s family is now trying to cope with the immense pain of this sudden loss while also wanting to make sure she is sent off with dignity,” the campaign organizer wrote in the description. The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is leading the ongoing investigation, and authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the incident to contact detectives.
Did You Know?
Ground blinds are enclosed or semi-enclosed structures placed at ground level to conceal hunters from wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did the Ellendale hunting incident happen?
According to Delaware police, the shooting occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Friday, September 18, in an open field near Ellendale, Delaware.
What charges does Walter Moorhead face?
According to law enforcement authorities, 74-year-old Walter Moorhead has been charged with manslaughter, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and three counts of reckless endangering.
How can the public help the victim’s family?
According to family organizers, relatives have established a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral costs and the transportation of María Chilet Soto’s body back to Guatemala.
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