kenny
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http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/164029
Man kills neighbor in 'freak accident' Police say an animal control officer was trying to shoot his own cow when he shot the man. [font="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"] By Shawna Morrison
[/font] 381-1665
A man was killed by a Floyd County animal control officer Thursday night in what the victim's wife called "a freak accident."
The shooting happened about 7:15 p.m. in a field off Conner Grove Road in Willis. Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Garland Nester was attempting to put down one of his own cows by shooting it when he shot his neighbor Paul Belcher of nearby Meadows of Dan.
Belcher, 75, was shot once, she said. He died at the scene.
Geller said a handgun was used in the shooting. She wouldn't say if it was the gun issued to Nester by the county, citing an ongoing investigation.
It is unclear whether Nester was on duty at the time of the shooting or how long he has been an animal control officer. Geller referred questions to Floyd County officials, who could not be reached Friday.
Because Nester is employed by the county, the Floyd County Sheriff's Office requested that state police handle the investigation, Geller said. Also, she said, Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood has been appointed special prosecutor in the case.
The animal control office is not a branch of the sheriff's office, Geller said.
No charges had been filed as of Friday. It is unclear whether Nester has been placed on leave. Geller said that would be up to county officials.
Jean Belcher said her husband went to try to help Nester, whose cow had gotten loose.
Nester didn't know Paul Belcher was nearby, she said.
"He shot at the cow and shot Paul," she said. "It was truly accidental."
Jean Belcher described her husband of 13 years as an excellent husband, father, stepfather and neighbor, "and a friend to everybody."
He had three children and three stepchildren.
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/164029
Man kills neighbor in 'freak accident' Police say an animal control officer was trying to shoot his own cow when he shot the man. [font="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"] By Shawna Morrison
[/font] 381-1665
A man was killed by a Floyd County animal control officer Thursday night in what the victim's wife called "a freak accident."
The shooting happened about 7:15 p.m. in a field off Conner Grove Road in Willis. Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Garland Nester was attempting to put down one of his own cows by shooting it when he shot his neighbor Paul Belcher of nearby Meadows of Dan.
Belcher, 75, was shot once, she said. He died at the scene.
Geller said a handgun was used in the shooting. She wouldn't say if it was the gun issued to Nester by the county, citing an ongoing investigation.
It is unclear whether Nester was on duty at the time of the shooting or how long he has been an animal control officer. Geller referred questions to Floyd County officials, who could not be reached Friday.
Because Nester is employed by the county, the Floyd County Sheriff's Office requested that state police handle the investigation, Geller said. Also, she said, Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood has been appointed special prosecutor in the case.
The animal control office is not a branch of the sheriff's office, Geller said.
No charges had been filed as of Friday. It is unclear whether Nester has been placed on leave. Geller said that would be up to county officials.
Jean Belcher said her husband went to try to help Nester, whose cow had gotten loose.
Nester didn't know Paul Belcher was nearby, she said.
"He shot at the cow and shot Paul," she said. "It was truly accidental."
Jean Belcher described her husband of 13 years as an excellent husband, father, stepfather and neighbor, "and a friend to everybody."
He had three children and three stepchildren.