Police: Deer Hunter Shoots College Students, Killing One
Ferrum, VA-- The Department of Game & Inland Fisheries say a man hunting deer shot two people Tuesday killing one. Both victims are students at Ferrum College.
The shooting happened near the college on County owned property. According to investigators, the student killed was 23 year old Jessica Goode. They say she took a direct shot to her chest while walking with Regis Boudinot who was shot in the arm by the same bullet. Boudinot was treated from and released from an area hospital.
A person speaking on behalf of Ferrum College confirmed last night a student was shot by a Franklin County man who mistook the student for a deer. She said the students were walking through some woods when the shooting occurred.
The students had been in the woods working on a science project. "When the blast went off he said she looked at him and said 'I'm going to die,' and she collapsed before he could do anything and she died almost instantly," said Kimberly Boudinot, Regis' stepmom.
Tuesday night, Ferrum College released this statement in regards to the shooting:
"All of us on the Ferrum College campus are deeply saddened over the tragic death of a Ferrum student late this afternoon in a hunting accident. We ask for everyone's prayers for the families affected by this terrible event. The College community is in mourning over the loss of a beloved member of our Ferrum family. A campus prayer service will be held for the campus community in Vaughn Chapel Wednesday morning, at 10:00 a.m."
Jason Cloutier of Ferrum has been charged in the incident. Officials say he was hunting on county owned property where hunting is not allowed. He had a first appearance Wednesday morning on charges of: manslaughter, reckless handling of a firearm and trespassing.
Cloutier posted his $20,000 bond Wednesday morning and was released from jail.
Story correction: A Virginia official told WFMY News 2 today, that only two students were shot. She said other students were in the area but only the Goode and Boudinot were hit.
The Conservation Police Officers with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are investigating the incident.
WDBJ, our CBS partner in Roanoke, VA has been following the case. Get the latest including Jason Cloutier's Wednesday morning court appearance.
Stay tuned to WFMY News 2 at 5pm and digtriad for updates on this story.