A 62-year-old Washington County man from Johnson City, was fatally wounded on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, while deer hunting, according to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesman Allen Ricks.
Roy C. Emert was going archery hunting on the opening day of the archery-only deer season when the accident occurred.
Emert was found near where he had parked his truck. According to the investigation, it appears that a 9 mm pistol Emert was carrying fell out of his pocket and struck the ground, causing it to discharge. The bullet struck him in the heart.
Under Tennessee hunting regulations, it is illegal for persons with archery tackle to carry firearms or be accompanied by a person possessing firearms during the archery-only season.
The accident continues to be under investigation by wildlife officers with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.