An Illinois man died after being shot in the face by a hunting partner in his group, according to officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Seth Egelhoff, 26, of Chesterfield, Illinois, had reportedly been bird hunting at the Bay Branch Wildlife Area with a group of people when he was fatally shot around 1 p.m. on Saturday, the DNR wrote in a press release, according to the New York Post.
“Seth Egelhoff was one of a kind and had a smile that could light up any room,” a GoFundMe page set up for Egelhoff’s family wrote of the man. “Anyone that knew him, knows he would do anything for just about anyone and ask for nothing in return.”
Illinois man fatally shot while waterfowl hunting https://t.co/Uy9nrHCsAu
— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) November 13, 2023
“In times like this, people always ask how they can help and we all feel helpless knowing we can’t take the pain away,” the GoFundMe page continued. “However, we can help to make sure the family is focused on each other and not the financial side of things during their time of grieving.”
After Egelhoff was shot, 911 was called and paramedics responding to the incident reportedly rushed him to a clearing where a helicopter could airlift him. Egelhoff ended up dying as he was being transported to the clearing, the DNR said in its statement.
Police are reportedly investigating the incident, however, Jeremy King, an officer with the conservation says the incident is believed to be an accident.
IJR reached out to the Iowa DNR for a statement but did not hear back by the time of publication.