Hunter Walter Murhead shot woman, mistaking her for a deer
23 september 2026 в 04:13
In Delaware, a man, Walter Murhead, is facing several charges in connection with the death of a 39-year-old woman whom he shot, mistaking her for a deer. According to police, the incident occurred on the evening of September 18 in an open field in Ellendale.
The woman has been identified as Santos Maria Chilel Soto from Georgetown. She was walking with her boyfriend and two children, aged 7 and 10, when the tragedy occurred. The boyfriend reported that he heard a sound resembling an «explosion» and saw Soto fall, bleeding. He administered first aid and called for an ambulance. At that time, an elderly man with a flashlight approached them, who was searching for a deer that he believed he had shot.
Murhead, who was hunting deer, shot Soto with a scoped rifle, believing he saw an animal. The woman received medical assistance at the scene but was later transported to a hospital, where she died.
Soto was a mother of five children. Her family created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her funeral and to send her body to Guatemala, which they described as Soto’s homeland.
Murhead has been charged with manslaughter, illegal possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and three counts of first-degree reckless endangering. After his arrest, he posted bail set at $ 43,000 and was released. The Delaware police continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Detective M. Capo.
The woman has been identified as Santos Maria Chilel Soto from Georgetown. She was walking with her boyfriend and two children, aged 7 and 10, when the tragedy occurred. The boyfriend reported that he heard a sound resembling an «explosion» and saw Soto fall, bleeding. He administered first aid and called for an ambulance. At that time, an elderly man with a flashlight approached them, who was searching for a deer that he believed he had shot.
Murhead, who was hunting deer, shot Soto with a scoped rifle, believing he saw an animal. The woman received medical assistance at the scene but was later transported to a hospital, where she died.
Soto was a mother of five children. Her family created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her funeral and to send her body to Guatemala, which they described as Soto’s homeland.
Murhead has been charged with manslaughter, illegal possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and three counts of first-degree reckless endangering. After his arrest, he posted bail set at $ 43,000 and was released. The Delaware police continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Detective M. Capo.
© Smirnova Olga
