ByBen Hanson and FOX6 News Digital Team

FOX6 News Milwaukee

Crime and Public Safety

Racine County deputy accused in accidental shooting of coworker, child | FOX6 Milwaukee

Published August 24, 2026 6:12 PM CDT

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Racine County deputy accused in accidental shooting of coworker, child

A Racine County Sheriff’s deputy is being charged with four felonies for accidentally shooting a coworker and that coworker’s 7-year-old son while out hunting.

The Brief

• • A Racine County deputy faces four felony counts after accidentally shooting a coworker and the coworker’s 7-year-old son.
  • James Lehman allegedly let his 3-year-old daughter pull the trigger during a turkey hunt.
  • The 7-year-old boy underwent surgery, leaving pellets in his skull, brain, and near his spinal cord.

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. – A Racine County Sheriff’s deputy is being charged with four felonies for accidentally shooting a coworker and that coworker’s 7-year-old son while out hunting.

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Shooting investigation

What we know:

Prosecutors say the defendant, James Lehman, let his 3-year-old daughter pull the trigger of the 12-gauge shotgun aimed at what he thought was a turkey head 39 yards away. This happened at Honey Creek Wildlife Area back in April, but the case is still ongoing. Lehman and his daughter were out for a youth turkey hunt weekend.

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Through the hunting mentorship program, Wisconsin state law says that there is no age requirement for hunting as long as that person stays within an arm’s reach of a licensed hunter.

Lehman got his hunter safety certificate through basic training with the U.S. Armed Forces.

James Lehman

Dig deeper:

According to the criminal complaint, Lehman admitted he was “not a very experienced turkey hunter” and it was one of the first times he hunted independently.

The case was turned over to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources the day of the incident.

“I won’t say that I guess it’s uncommon to have someone of that age,” Renee Thok, a representative for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said. “(They should) use their best judgment when they’re doing that and to consider the mentee’s abilities, their strengths, their weaknesses.”

After the shot, the 7-year-old was bleeding from the head and on June 5, he went into surgery. Doctors couldn’t remove pellets from his skull, brain and near his spinal cord.

Pellets hit the coworker in the back, lower torso, left hand, forearm and upper arm, but he was released from the hospital that night. He still had significant swelling and numbness in his left arm during a follow-up 12 days later.

According to the complaint, he had told Lehman in the past “not to hunt on his hunting spots.”

Walworth County D.A. assists

What’s next:

Racine County Sheriff’s Office declined to give any more updates on the father and son’s health.

The Walworth County District Attorney, Zeke Wiedenfeld, is helping the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with this case. This is because the Racine District Attorney handed it off as both parties involved in the incident are from the Racine County Sheriff’s Office.

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Wiedenfeld did not respond for comment.

Lehman is still on administrative leave and due in court for the first time on Sept. 10.

Portions of this article were formatted using A.I. FOX6’s Ben Hanson and an editor reviewed it for accuracy and tone prior to publishing.

The Source: Information in this story was gathered from Racine County open records, the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson.

 Home/RNJ News/News Department/New Jersey Fish & Wildlife warns netting can trap, injure wildlife

News Department

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife warns netting can trap, injure wildlife – WRNJ Radio

 Jay EdwardsAugust 24, 2026

 240 1 minute read

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Fish & Wildlife is warning residents that common types of netting used around homes, gardens and recreational areas can pose a serious threat to wildlife.

According to the agency, snakes, turtles, frogs, salamanders, birds, chipmunks and squirrels can become tangled while attempting to move through netting. Animals that struggle to escape can become more entangled and suffer serious cuts, broken bones or death.

Birds, fish and other wildlife may also swallow pieces of damaged or broken netting, potentially causing dangerous digestive problems, according to New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.

The agency said potentially hazardous materials include garden or “deer” netting; sports, golf practice and fishing nets; and soil erosion and sediment control netting, including some products labeled biodegradable that may not break down as claimed.

Chicken wire can also pose a risk. Although it is not technically netting, the thin, flexible wire can trap animals attempting to squeeze through it.

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife recommends avoiding garden netting when possible. If it must be used, residents are advised to keep the bottom about 12 inches off the ground.

Sports and recreational nets should also be lifted about 12 inches off the ground when they are not being used, the agency said. Damaged nets should never be left outdoors and should instead be properly discarded.

Residents are also encouraged to replace chicken wire with ¼-inch or ½-inch hardware cloth.

For erosion control, the agency recommends products made entirely from natural, truly biodegradable materials and netting with movable joints that may allow wildlife to escape if an animal becomes caught.

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife said taking those precautions can help prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths among the state’s wildlife.