Off-Duty Incident Called An Accident
December 21, 2004
By TRACY GORDON FOX, Courant Staff Writer
POMFRET -- An off-duty state trooper accidentally shot his friend
with a black powder rifle as they were hunting for deer Monday afternoon,
seriously injuring the man, state police and Department of Environmental
Protection officials said.
The shooting involving Trooper Jason Deojay is being investigated
by the DEP because it was a hunting accident, police said. His friend,
who police have not identified, was shot in the jaw, police said.
The injured hunter was initially taken to Day Kimball Hospital in
Putnam, but was transferred by Life Star helicopter to Hartford Hospital
for further treatment. He was listed in serious condition.
Deojay is assigned to the Danielson barracks, and has been a state
trooper almost three years.
The incident occurred about 3:30 p.m. in a wooded area near the intersection
of Peterson and Angel roads in Pomfret, police said.
The state police major crime squad will assist in the investigation,
said Sgt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman.
"They will do the scene," Vance said. "It was an accident,
an off-duty incident."
Today is the last day when hunting with a black powder, muzzle-loading
gun is permitted, said Matt Fritz, a DEP spokesman.
