Update on woman mistakenly killed as a deer

[left-of-center2012]

Criminal charges being considered against Sherman hunter who mistook woman for deer

The Chautauqua County (N.Y.) district attorney is considering criminal charges against a Sherman man being investigated for fatally shooting a woman who was walking her dogs.

Rosemary Billquist, 43, died after being shot in the hip Wednesday in the hunting accident, according to her husband, Jamie Billquist.

Thomas Jadlowski, 34, told investigators with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office that he thought Rosemary Billquist was a deer when he opened fire. When he heard a scream, he ran to her, called 911 and put pressure on her wounds, investigators said. Investigators said the shooting occurred after sunset, a violation of state hunting regulations.

DA Patrick Swanson said Monday that he would be meeting with representatives from the Sheriff's Office and the state Department of Environmental Conservation during the day to discuss the case.

If criminal charges are filed against Jadlowski, Swanson said, they would be either second-degree manslaughter based on reckless conduct causing death or criminally negligent homicide. Second-degree manslaughter is a C-level felony with a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison. Criminally negligent homicide is an E-level felony with a maximum sentence of up to four years.

Swanson said he could not say whether the case would be brought before a grand jury, but that if it was, that information would not be made public until an arraignment.

He also said the investigation showed Jadlowski was more than 200 yards away from Billquist when he fired his gun.

The district attorney added that the weapon used in the shooting was a Thompson/Center Contender, which is technically a handgun but "essentially a rifle." The firearm, a single-shot weapon, is classified as a pistol because it has a barrel length just under that of a rifle, Swanson said.

Investigators have the weapon believed to have been used in the shooting.

[lpbk2713]

1. Book him for criminal stupidity.

And search his vehicle and campsite for booze.

[Wwcd]

2. Did he enjoy the thrill of that moment of power

Hope its the last power thrill he ever has.

Stupid ass.

[captain queeg]

3. We in Washington state have just as big of idiots

Years ago outside of Spokane a "hunter" shot one of an old couple (I believe he thought he was shooting bear). Bad enough, but then the flaming turd tried preventing the non-shot member of the couple from going and getting help because he didn't want to get in trouble.

I just realized a lot of people demand a news link, and this is before that kind of stuff. Not even sure the internet was around, but if you were so inclined you could search back copies of the Spokesman -Review.

[Wwcd]

5. No link necessary. I believe there are stupid chicken-shit idiots

..everywhere. Pity they're given permission to prove themselves by the NRA purchased lobbists.

[NCTraveler]

4. I'm sure he was a good legal gun owner...

Until he wasn't.

Guy should have already been arrested. Period. Failure of society.

[irisblue]

6. "considering?" WTH?

if Jadlowski has to make custody arrangements for minor kids, a very short delay seems reasonable..
comments at the article are interesting.

[mythology]

9. Given his judgment,

Any kids might be better off with CPS.

[left-of-center2012]

7. Related article

Husband of hunting accident victim: 'Her life was cut way too short

Sheriff Joe Gerace recalled a similar incident five years in the Town of Stockton when a 33-year-old man was killed while field-dressing a deer he had shot shortly after sunset on Dec. 3, 2012.

The man's father fired the shot from about 100 yards away.

[irisblue]

12. And the gun humpers in the comments negating the shooters actions

[Kirk Lover]

8. I can't tell you how many times I have gone hiking in upstate NY w/ my dog(s) and have been

completely unnerved by hearing the sound of gunshots all around. I bought us all orange vests but I still didn't feel safe. One time I had to scream out that I'M HERE...I immediately left that hike and I pretty much just stopped hiking in the fall. I really am against PUBLIC LANDS being open to any kind of hunting. It's friggin dangerous.

[ProudLib72]

17. That infuriates me

You're right. I lived in CT for eight years, and I like to mountain bike. Just about the only time you can stand to mountain bike in New England is during the fall when it's cooler. But if you want to get out in the fall, then it's on you to buy all the orange clothing you can to make damned sure you aren't shot and killed. I think maybe hunters should have to supply everyone in the vicinity with orange outfits. Perhaps then hunting would become cost prohibitive and the MAJORITY could actually enjoy getting out in the fall weather.

[Kirk Lover]

18. Hunting also should not be allowed on public multi use land. I think that's a no brainer.

If they want folks to hunt they should close the park/trail for other uses during that time. At least have a freaking sign saying that hunters are in the area and hike/walk at your own risk.

If you could of seen the glare/sneer I gave this group of guys as I headed to my car...I'm sure they saw I was not pleased.

[ProudLib72]

19. Hunters should be kept at a distance

You're being too kind. The onus should be on the hunters, not the other users.

[msongs]

10. murder someone then claim accidental shooting. 2A protection for every crime nt

[grantcart]

11. 200 yards with that gun? 2 football fields in the dark?

seems like an impossible shot to me. Was he just shooting randomly?

[left-of-center2012]

14. "Was he just shooting randomly?"

He claims he saw, and fired at what he thought was a deer.
It was after the Sun went down, and hunting hours stop at Sundown.

Nowhere was it mentioned if he had a hunting license,
plus many states require an additional 'deer tag' to legally kill a deer during deer season.

[Paladin]

13. Any word as to what caliber was involved in this shooting?

That pistol is currently offered in something like a dozen different calibers. I'm not suggesting that caliber choice should effect the prosecution of this crime; just curious why the information hasn't been divulged by now.

[maxsolomon]

15. Man 2

He needs to do time & lose his precious Gun Rights.

Consider harder.

[Lee-Lee]

16. He is a poacher

Those guns are a favorite of poachers. They fire rifle calibers and can be effective on game for 200-300 yards and when shot from a rest can be accurate that far. The only advantage to them over a rifle is that they can be more easily hidden in a bag or pack so you don’t look like you are hunting when you are supposed to not be hunting.

That is literally a “hunting pistol” but unless you have a specific need for hunting with a pistol it’s impractical to hunt with. They cost more than a comparable rifle in the same caliber and are harder to use, so there isn’t any good reason to choose one unless they are disabled and not able to handle a rifle or they are carrying it way into the backcountry where weight makes a difference.

The combination of that gun, him shooting an hour after legal hunting ended in the dark and not making sure of his target = poacher to my eyes.

If they can make the case that his poaching was a felony under the law for that state then they should be looking at felony murder. If not it will be some sort of manslaughter/negligent homicide type charge.

[mnhtnbb]

20. Have a friend with a farm

here in NC who has all the boundaries of her farm marked with No Hunting and No Trespassing signs.

She still gets poachers hunting on her farm. Drives her nuts. And it is very dangerous.