Ville Platte teen hunter kills cousin, mistaking him for deer

According to Tyler County (Texas) Sheriff Bryan Weatherford, 18-year-old Dane Marcotte of Ville Platte was fatally shot in a hunting accident by his cousin, Ricky Woodruff III of Ville Platte, who is also 18.
Marcotte and Woodruff were hunting on a family lease near Woodville, Texas, when Marcotte approached Woodruff’s deer stand. Woodruff, mistaking Marcotte for a deer, shot and heard his cousin scream.
When officers arrived at approximately 6 p.m., Marcotte was lying in the bed of a truck with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was reportedly shot by a .300 caliber Weatherby Magnum rifle.
Speaking to a media outlet in Texas, Sheriff Weatherby stated, “Based on witness statements and ballistics testing, this appears to be a tragic accident.”
While no charges have been filed, the sheriff will turn over all evidence to the district attorney for Tyler County. Weatherford stated Woodruff could be charged with negligent homicide.
Reports did not indicate whether Marcotte was wearing hunter’s orange.