Partner of woman killed by US hunter who allegedly mistook her for deer says death ‘no accident’
Walter Moorhead, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, murdered Santos Maria Chilel Soto, partner alleges
TL;DR
- Walter Moorhead, 74, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after allegedly shooting Santos Maria Chilel Soto, mistaking her for a deer.
- The victim's partner, Minivaldo Velásquez, described the killing as "senseless" and "no accident," calling it "cold-blooded murder."
- Moorhead was reportedly hunting from a ground blind when he fired his rifle, striking Chilel Soto as she walked through a harvested cornfield with her family.
- Chilel Soto, originally from Guatemala, was a mother of five.
- Her sister, Yolin Chilel Soto, suggested there may have been "racism" involved and that hunters should ensure they are shooting at an animal.
- Moorhead faces charges of manslaughter, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and reckless endangering.
- Hunting deer with a rifle was out of season, but the property had a permit for antlerless deer harvest.
- Moorhead, a Maryland resident, posted a $43,000 bond for his release.