Wythe man charged in hunting accident
December 15, 2010
A Wythe County man is listed in stable condition at a Roanoke hospital after being accidentally shot during a coyote hunt Saturday evening. His dad has been charged in the incident.
According to Julia Dixon of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Robert Andrew Felts Jr., 47, of Wytheville and his 22-year-old son, Robert Andrew Felts III, were reportedly hunting coyotes around 5:45 p.m. Saturday in the Walton Furnace Road community. The elder Felts apparently saw movement and fired his high-powered rifle, she said.
The shot struck his son in the abdomen, Dixon reported. She said the dad transported his son to Wythe County Community Hospital where he was later airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Dixon listed Robert Andrew Felts III in stable condition as of Monday morning. She also stated his dad was charged Monday morning with reckless handling of a firearm.
The investigation, Dixon said, is continuing. Conservation police officer Wes Billings is the investigating officer with Jeff Pease assisting, according to her.