News Day
NEW YORK — An upstate hunting accident in which a Franklin Square firefighter was fatally shot in the chest appears to be accidental, the local district attorney said Monday.
Charles Bruce, 52, was shot about 10:20 a.m. Saturday on the opening day of the deer-hunting season in a wooded area along Steve Braun Road in Westford, not far from Oneonta, state police said.
Otsego County District Attorney John M. Muehl said firefighter Bruce’s weapon was the only one that discharged, but Muehl declined to give specifics about the continuing investigation.
“It appears accidental, but that does not mean it is not criminal,” Muehl said. “It is very possible that this case will be presented to a grand jury.”
Police said the state Department of Environmental Conservation was assisting in the shooting investigation.
Police said firefighter Bruce died at the scene.
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