Theron Allen Langford, 59, was killed Wednesday while deer hunting in Davidson County. According to investigators, he was accidentally shot and killed by his brother who suffered an emotional breakdown and had to be hospitalized.
The brothers were hunting at dawn in thick woods on the side of a hill on family property. Spokesman Doug Markham with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency said hunting accidents like this one are rare.
Investigators said Langford was not wearing his flourescent ornage. He had it, but it was in his backpack.
"I do know there was not enough orange. In this case they were hunting in very thick cover, and that's the reason we have the orange law in Tennessee, because you can see so well what other people are doing even through really thick cover so if there is a lesson to be learned today wear your orange when hunting deer or other critters,” said one of the investigators.
Deer hunting season ends on January 7. Authorities urge those taking advantage of this and future hunts to follow a few quick and easy rules that could save your life.
Know what is beyond your target before you shoot, wear bright orange vests, review hunting safety rules before hunting with others and treat all weapons as though they were loaded and never mix alcohol and fire arms.