Maryland Hunter Charged After Fatally Shooting Woman He Mistook For A Deer In Delaware

Walter Moorhead hunting shooting charges have been filed against a 74-year-old Maryland man following a tragic incident in which he fatally shot a woman while hunting deer, apparently mistaking her for the animal he was pursuing, according to Delaware State Police.

How The Shooting Occurred

Moorhead, a resident of Salisbury, Maryland, was arrested after state troopers responded to reports of a woman shot in an open field in the town of Ellendale at approximately 7:40 p.m. Friday evening. Troopers who arrived at the scene provided immediate medical care to the 39-year-old victim before she was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead from her injuries.

Delaware State Police identified the victim Sunday as Santos Maria Chilel Soto, a resident of Georgetown, Delaware.

According to investigators, Chilel Soto had been walking through the field alongside a man and two children at the time she was shot. Moorhead was reportedly hunting from what’s known as a ground blind, a camouflaged shelter hunters use to remain hidden while waiting for game. Police say Moorhead believed he had spotted a deer and fired his rifle, unknowingly striking Chilel Soto instead of the animal he thought he was targeting.

Charges Filed Against Moorhead

Following the shooting, Moorhead was formally charged with manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was subsequently released after posting a cash bond of 43,000 dollars, according to state police.

When contacted Sunday, Moorhead did not return a phone call requesting comment on the incident. It remains unclear at this time whether he has retained legal representation to assist with his defense as the case moves forward.

What Comes Next

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, working to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to Chilel Soto’s death. As with many hunting-related fatalities involving mistaken identity, investigators will likely examine factors including visibility conditions at the time of the shooting, the specific circumstances under which Moorhead fired his weapon, and whether proper hunting safety protocols were followed throughout the incident. The case now moves forward through Delaware’s legal system as prosecutors determine how to proceed with the charges filed against Moorhead.