Man Sighting Rifle Blamed In Accidental Shooting

FRIERSON, La. (AP) — A man sighting his rifle on his Christmas tree farm in DeSoto Parish is getting the blame for the accidental shootings of a train engineer and conductor.

DeSoto Parish sheriff's Corporal Dusty Herring told The Times of Shreveport that the man said he didn't know that a KCS train was on the railroad tracks behind his property.

Herring says the man fired several rounds. One traveled 1,200 feet and entered the open window of the train. An engineer was struck in the face by a round that exited his jaw and struck a conductor in the hand. The engineer was hospitalized with injuries that authorities said were not life-threatening. The conductor did not need hospitalization. An investigation is under way to determine whether the shooter will face charges.