By SCOTT JOHNSON
News Editor
GUIN - A Jasper woman was accidently shot by her husband while deer hunting on Sunday, Jan. 6, in the Pea Ridge Community.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams told the Journal Record that Lyn Humphries, 46, Jasper, was injured when her husband, Phillip Humphries, 47, accidently shot her in the back.
The incident occurred on the Jasper couple’s 60-acre hunting property, located on County Highway 42, approximately one mile north of the County Highway 37 intersection.
Williams said that 9-1-1 was contacted at approximately 11:30 a.m. and the Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Twin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Regional Paramedical Services (RPS), sheriff’s deputies and a Winfield Police Department officer responded to the call.
The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division also responded.
Lyn Humphries was air-lifted by Air Evac Lifeteam from the scene and was transported to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss., where she is expected to make a full recovery.
According to the sheriff, the Humphries had been on their property on Sunday morning, Jan. 6, to deer hunt out of a hunting house.
When the two decided to leave, Williams said that Lyn Humphries chose to take an old logging road back to the highway, while Phillip Humphries chose to go by way of a recently bush-hogged path.
The sheriff said while walking back, a deer reportedly emerged in front of Phillip Humphries on his path and he attempted to shoot it.
Williams said that the husband missed the deer and instead shot his wife, who had, at this point, walked beyond him on the old logging road.
According to the sheriff, the wife was approximately 80 yards from her husband when she was hit. The bullet entered her back and came out under her right arm.
“She is very lucky,” Williams said.
Phillip Humphries was using a .30-06 hunting rifle. Neither of the Humphries were wearing the state-mandated 144-square-inch hunter orange outerwear or hat.
Williams said that the incident is still undergoing investigation; However, he is anticipating that there was no foul play involved.
