A tragic incident occurred in Delaware, where a Maryland hunter is accused of accidentally shooting a woman he mistook for a deer. The incident happened when Santos Maria Chilel Soto, aged 39, was walking through a field with her children.

Incident Details

State Police reported that 74-year-old Walter Moorhead was hunting from a ground blind, a camouflaged structure used by hunters, when the tragedy happened. Seeing what he believed to be a deer, Moorhead fired his rifle, resulting in the fatal injury of Soto. The event unfolded on a Friday evening in Ellendale, Delaware.

Upon receiving reports of the shooting, state troopers arrived at the scene and provided immediate medical care. Despite their efforts, Soto was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Walter Moorhead faces multiple charges, including manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and possession of a firearm during a felony. After his arrest, he was released on a $43,000 cash bond. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

“Maria’s family is now facing the overwhelming pain of this sudden loss while also trying to make sure she is laid to rest with dignity,” reads a GoFundMe page organized for her.

Support and Community Response

Soto, a mother of five and a cherished aunt, is mourned by her family and community. In response to this heartbreaking event, a fundraiser has been created to assist the family with funeral expenses and the cost of returning her body to Guatemala. By Monday evening, nearly $12,000 had been raised to support the family.