Alliston Herald
BARRIE – A 16-year-old Essa boy who accidentally shot his father and brother in a hunting accident last year has been discharged of criminal charges following a ruling Thursday at the Barrie courthouse.
In January, the court heard how the teen thought he was shooting a wild animal near their Baxter home Nov. 5
According to the testimony, he mistook the carcass of a deer being pushed by his dad and brother in a wheelbarrow along
Photo Copyright Jim Robertson
the train tracks as a bear or a cougar.
The shooting happened at 6 p.m. when it was dark outside.
A slug from a single shotgun blast went through his father’s leg and entered his brother’s hip, requiring surgery.
At the hearing in January, he pleaded guilty to careless use of a firearm.
During the presentencing, the court also heard how the boy had an impeccable record prior to this incident and held top marks at school.
The boy cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Judges can issue an absolute discharge if it’s in the person’s best interest and if there is no threat to the public. As such, the teen will not have a criminal record.
Exposing the Big Game 
Of course shooting or killing others is just fine and dandy IF you have a hunting license … no problema.
Very ashamed of the courts decision on this, back home in the place where I grew up !!