Man accidentally shoots woman's red mohawk he mistook for bird

A Colorado man was sentenced to five years' probation after accidentally shooting a woman whose red mohawk he mistook for a fowl that had been harassing his cats. 

Derrill Rockwell, 49, told police that he grabbed his .22-caliber rifle and set out from his home Oct. 5 to fire at the bird after spotting it at the top of a hill about 90 feet away, the Daily Sentinel reported Friday.

"His intent was to spook it away," Deputy District Attorney Jason Conley told District Judge Richard Gurley on Friday, according to the newspaper. (image via  UK Daily Mail)

But after shooting at the bird, the man said he noticed it didn't fly away and he reported hearing a woman moaning in pain.

Rockwell soon discovered that he had shot a 23-year-old woman in the head, mistaking her red mohawk for the menacing bird.  (continue reading at Fox News, hat tip Drudge)

I can see it, can't you?

Comments

[Susan Benton]

LOL!!! The twit (woman) with the mohawk was evidently a meth user. I think he should have been given an award for driving her away!

[Always On Watch]

Ye, gods!

Honestly, I can't feel too sorry for the woman.

[Tammy Swofford]

Let me disagree:

He did not have a clear line of sight. He acquired a "target" without first identifying his target properly. Basic weapon safety measures were lacking.

I certainly hope he doesn't spot me wearing my Rudolph' antlers headband.

Smiling,

Tammy Swofford

[Debbie]

Tammy: Well of course you are correct. This was a serious matter, I suppose I was strictly looking at it from the comical side, the hair, the bird ... and not from a firearms safety standpoint. The rest of the story shows that he did not get away with his actions, was tried and punished and the woman recovered.

Conley reportedly told the judge that the woman may have passed out from alcohol before being shot. Police officers also found a bag of suspected methamphetamine near where she was shot.

The rest of the story ...

QUOTE

The woman survived the shooting, but has since moved from Colorado and could not be reached by the newspaper Friday.

Rockwell was sentenced to serve five years probation after pleading guilty to felony possession of a weapon by a prior offender, the newspaper reported.

END QUOTE