Man Who Shot Woman Says He Thought She Was A Bird

A 49-year-old Grand Junction man who said he shot a woman in the head when he mistook her large red Mohawk for a fowl that had been harassing his cats, has been sentenced to five years probation.

Derrill Rockwell told police he fired one shot at what he thought was a bird sitting on a hill near his home Oct. 5, and soon after, he heard a woman moaning in pain.

Prosecutors said the “bird” turned out to be a 23-year-old woman who may have been sleeping on the hill. Her injury was not life threatening.

Rockwell was sentenced Friday for felony possession of a weapon by a prior offender. Prosecutors said the woman, who is believed to be a transient, has left Colorado and could not be reached to testify.