A tragic incident unfolded in Delaware, involving a Maryland hunter who allegedly shot a woman he mistakenly identified as a deer. The shooting occurred while the victim walked through a field with her children. State police have arrested Walter Moorhead, 74, and charged him with manslaughter alongside other offenses.
Incident Details
On Friday evening in Ellendale, Delaware, Santos Maria Chilel Soto, 39, walked through an open field accompanied by a man and two children. Meanwhile, Walter Moorhead hunted deer from a ground blind, a camouflaged structure designed to conceal hunters from game animals.
Believing he saw a deer, Moorhead fired his rifle, striking Soto. State troopers arrived at the scene, providing emergency medical care before Soto was transported to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Charges Filed
Moorhead faces multiple felony charges, including manslaughter recklessly causing the death of another person, possession of a firearm during a felony, and three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment. He was released from custody after posting a $43,000 cash bond.
Victim’s Background
Santos Maria Chilel Soto, described as a mother of five and a “beloved” aunt, leaves behind a grieving family.
According to a GoFundMe page, Soto’s sudden loss has placed a heavy financial burden on her family as they seek to lay her to rest with dignity. The fundraiser aims to cover funeral costs and expenses for repatriating her body to Guatemala. As of Monday evening, approximately $12,000 has been raised.
The investigation into the incident continues as the community mourns the loss of a cherished member.
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