Charles Thomas Bark, 70, of Marengo, Illinois, died on November 11, 2018, after being struck by a rifle round while preparing for deer hunting near Atlanta, Missouri. The group was at a hunting cabin near State Highway J and State Highway 3 during the opening weekend of Missouri’s firearms season when, at about 3:15 p.m., a rifle belonging to another member of the party accidentally discharged and the bullet inflicted a mortal wound.

Emergency responders attended the scene and the Macon County Coroner pronounced Bark dead there. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office investigated and determined the shooting was accidental; no arrests were made and no suspects were named because authorities found no criminal intent. Bark’s death was reported as one of three hunting-related fatalities that weekend in Missouri.

If anyone was present at that hunting area or has information about the events that afternoon, please share what is known.