The hunter who allegedly shot two other turkey hunters last weekend has been charged with assault, Colonie police said.
David V. Ferrara, 41, of 12 River St., Waterford, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and three violations of EnCon Law.
EnCon said he went hunting without a license, offered his wife’s hunting license to police and left a loaded gun in his car.
Police said Ferrara went hunting with a Watervliet police lieutenant early Saturday morning. They walked into a wooded area off Troy-Schenectady Road, armed with shotguns, in search of turkey.
Ferrara heard turkeys gobbling in the bushes and shot at once, even though he could not see any animals, Colonie Det. Lt. John Van Alstyne said.
There were no turkeys in the bushes. Two brothers were hiding there, armed with bows and arrows.
“They were using a turkey caller,” Van Alstyne said. “Mr. Ferrara shot into the bushes without first identifying — that’s a hunting rule. There were a lot of hunting rules broken here.”
Ferrara peppered the bushes with birdshot, hitting the brothers numerous times, Van Alstyne said. The brothers were far enough away that they did not suffer life-threatening wounds, “but obviously it was very painful,” Van Alstyne said.
Anthony Santoro, 25, and Vincent Santoro, 23, both of Cohoes, were treated and released.
Ferrara was issued an appearance ticket to return to Colonie Town Court on May 27.
Last year the state had a record low number of hunting accidents, with just eight people shot, EnCon’s Yancey Roy said.
GAZETTE COVERAGE
Ensure access to everything we do, today and every day, check out our subscribe page at DailyGazette.com/SubscribeMore from The Daily Gazette:
Rotterdam follows trend as police top town earners list
Shots fired investigated in Schenectady's Vale Neighborhood; Two houses, a car struck
Feds launch investigation into Schenectady's St. Clare's; church-affiliated pension plans nationwide
Images: Workers install sidewalk benches Wednesday in Saratoga Springs (6 photos)
Waite: Mohonasen school board member provides microphone for fear-mongering
Categories: News
