A 60‑year‑old man was fatally shot in Gawłówka, Lublin Voivodeship. The suspect, Sławomir A., was charged with murder after investigators concluded he mistook the victim for a boar during a hunting night.
Hunter Charged with Murder
The Lubartów District Prosecutor’s Office charged Sławomir A. with murder following the fatal shooting of a 60‑year‑old man on the night of August 16–17, during a hunt, the Polish Press Agency reported. Investigators claim that the 40‑year‑old suspect, because he expected the target might be a human and agreed to that possibility, shot with the intent to possibly kill the victim. He faces a sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. Prosecutor Joanna Dębiec said the suspect’s equipment allowed him to identify the target, but failing to recognize it demonstrates he acted with the potential harmful outcome; in other words, he didn’t intend to kill, but he accepted the risk of killing if he shot at a person.
Investigations Findings
On Saturday (August 16) between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., three hunters began a hunt in the village of Młyniska, Michów commune, Lublin County. They positioned themselves in a corn field near a property owned by the deceased’s family. They were hunting a boar believed to be in the area. At the same time, the 60‑year‑old man emerged front of his gate when a passing vehicle startled him. One hunter, mistakenly thinking the man was a boar, fired a shot that ultimately killed the victim. The victim suffered a thoracic and right forearm wound and died on the spot.
What Happened?
During the night of August 16–17, emergency services received a report of a shooting. A medical rescue team and police arrived on scene. Details suggesting a hunting incident were reported almost immediately by local media, including lublin112.pl, which also noted that three hunters were arrested. The prosecutor announced that the hunters were sober, and one had brought his 12‑year‑old son to the hunt. Police also investigated whether the hunting was conducted legally. Politician Marcin Możdżonek, associated with Confederation and president of the Polish Hunting Association, commented: “Those arrested by the authorities will also face consequences within the Polish Hunting Association.”
