Teenager shot during presumed poaching accident out of danger

The 17-year-old who was hit in the back by a bullet in Deux-Sèvres on Wednesday (October 12) is no longer in a life-threatening condition. 

Read more: 17-year-old hit by bullet in critical condition in west France

The incident occurred in the rural area of Sainte-Gemme, to the north west of Poitiers, at around 11:30 when a bullet from a 22 Long Rifle tore through the teenager’s body, reaching his lungs and coming out the other side. 

Such guns are permitted for activities such as target practice and killing some types of vermin under certain circumstances but are not allowed for hunting.

Emergency services judged the teenager to be in a critical condition and he was airlifted to hospital.

The public prosecutor of the Niort, Julien Wattebled, has said that the 17-year-old was operated on that day and is no longer in medical danger.

A 21-year-old was taken into custody, and admitted to having shot the bullet, before being released. An investigation has been opened by the gendarmerie in Thouars. 

Potential charges include involuntary injury during a hunt caused by a manifestly deliberate violation of safety procedures, hunting without a permit, hunting without insurance and hunting on another’s land without their permission. 

These offences could result in a year in prison and a fine of up to €15,000. 

It is thought that the person arrested was not a hunter but a friend of the victim and that both were out poaching.

Local hunters say no big game hunting was taking place at the time in the area.

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