Stevenson killed by
bullet, not bear
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September 23, 2011 |
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Steve
Stevenson |
The Montana State Crime Lab medical examiner
notified the Lincoln County, Montana, Sheriff's
Office Friday that it was a bullet to the chest
that claimed the life of Steve Stevenson, 39,
Winnemucca, Nevada, September 16 during an
attack by a wounded grizzly bear on the Montana
side of Buckhorn Mountain.
Ty Bell, 20, reportedly mistook the
grizzly for a black bear that morning while he
and three others, including Stevenson, were
hunting black bear, and fired a shot, wounding
the bear, which ran into deep underbrush. After
waiting nearly an hour, Bell and Stevenson began
tracking the wounded animal when the bear
attacked, going first for Bell. Stevenson got
between the bear and his young hunting partner
and took the attack, saving his friend.
Bell opened fire on the grizzly, emptying his
rifle and grabbing up Stevenson's in an attempt
to save his friend's life, killing the bear.
Apparently, according to the Lincoln County
Sheriff's Office, one of the several shots he
fired struck Stevenson in the chest.
Services for Stevenson were held September 23 in
the Winnemucca, Nevada, Convention Center, Bell
serving as a pall bearer for the friend he tried
to save.
No charges have been filed as the investigation
continues, and it's unknown whether any will be
brought. Lincoln County sheriffs investigators
say it will be at least three weeks before
additional information is released.
Ty, the son of Candy Bell, Bonners Ferry, is
said to be distraught but holding up strong in
the wake of that morning's sad chain of events,
bolstered by the support of his family and
friends.
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