A family turkey hunt in the woods near Johnstown, Wisconsin, ended in tragedy on April 17, 2016. David R. Tilton, 37, was attempting to retrieve a turkey that had been shot when he moved into the line of fire of another hunter in his party and was struck in the back by a shotgun blast. Emergency efforts were made at the scene but Tilton was pronounced dead; an autopsy confirmed the cause of death as trauma from a firearm.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office investigated and determined the shooting to be an accident, finding no indication of foul play. Because of that finding, the incident was not treated as a criminal matter and no arrests were made and no suspects were named. Friends and family remember Tilton for his love of the outdoors.

If anyone was hunting in the Johnstown area that day or has information about the incident, please come forward.