Nov 17, 2008 7:31 pm US/Eastern
Shock: NYC Deer Hunter Shoots, Kills Toddler
SWAN LAKE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Police examine the bullet hole in the side of a trailer left after a hunter accidentally shot and killeda toddler in Swan Lake.
CBS
A New York City deer hunter was arrested after he mistakenly shot and killed a toddler in a Sullivan County trailer. The hunter was aiming for a deer in Swan Lake, but he apparently didn't realize how close he was to a fatal mistake.
A crime scene team spent all of Monday morning reconstructing the fatal gunshot, studying the trajectory and the exit hole left in the side of the girl's grandparents' trailer home.
"You really have to know that that round can travel a great distance," said Lt. Pierce Gallagher, who added the hunter who fired the shot acted recklessly.
Arrested is 45-year-old Edward Taibi of Howard Beach in Queens. Police have charged Taibi with manslaughter in the death of 16-month-old Charly Skala.
Police say Taibi was in a deer stand Sunday when he fired a high-powered rifle and hit a male deer. He then climbed down and fired a second shot, hitting a trailer and striking Skala in the neck while she was playing on a sofa inside with her grandmother.
The toddler was with her family, part of a large group at the trailer watching a football game.
Horrified family members rushed the little girl to Catskills Regional Hospital, she was then flown to Westchester Medical where she died.
"You have to know whats on the other side of your target," said Gallagher.
Police say Taibi should have known he was just 400 feet from a residence when he fired the second shot.
"The basis of the charge is recklessness. We don't have any indication this gentlemen was intentionally doing anything like that. He showed [he was] obviously extremely remorseful, broken up about what took place," said Gallagher.
Many locals say the fear of stray bullets is a constant during hunting season.
"You have to be awful careful, you don't let your kids out during hunting season or your dogs or your cats or anything," said Sullivan County resident Nancy Bolduc.
Family members at the trailer did not want to speak to reporters.
Police hope the charges against Taibi serve as a warning to all hunter: safety must come first.
Swan Lake is about 85 miles northwest of New York City.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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