French Lick youth involved in fatal hunting incident

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident in which a 15 year old French Lick youth was fatally injured Sunday afternoon while deer hunting in Dubois County south of St. Anthony, Indiana.

Conservation Officers along with the Dubois County Sheriffs’ Department responded to a report of a gunshot victim at about 3:25 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The initial investigation appears the youth was hunting with a family member and he sustained abdominal injuries from a single gunshot wound.

Investigation reports gathered at the scene indicate that the firearm discharged while it was being lowered from a tree stand. The victim was transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy is to be scheduled for sometime Monday.

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted at the scene by the Dubois County Sheriffs’ Department, St. Anthony Volunteer Fire Department and Memorial Emergency Medical Service.

Indiana Conservation Officers are responsible for investigating all hunting related incidents.

The youth has been identified as Nicholas Messmer, 15 of French Lick.