Crime & Safety
Michigan Hunter Shot, Killed On Opening Day
Authorities said a 38-year-old man died after being shot by a hunter outside of Traverse City Thursday afternoon.
ANTRIM COUNTY, MI — A Michigan hunter was shot to death on opening day of firearm deer season, the Department of Natural Resources said Friday. Justin Beutel, a 38-year-old Sanford man was hunting near the village of Alden, 20 miles northeast of Traverse City, when he was reportedly shot by another hunter Thursday afternoon, officials said.
Authorities have not identified the second hunter, but say he’s a 45-year-old man from Gaylord. The two men were not hunting together and are not believed to have known each other.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that Mr. Beutel was deer hunting on private property and was apparently shot by another subject hunting nearby,” said Lt. James Gorno, a district law supervisor with the DNR.
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Officers were reportedly dispatched to the scene and found Beutel unresponsive. First aid was administered, but he did not recover, authorities said.
The Antrim County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police are assisting the DNR with an investigation.
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