Man struck by stray gunshot Saturday in Teller County
A man who was shot last weekend on U.S. Forest Service land is recovering while authorities continue to investigate the case and prepare for stronger enforcement.
According to a release from the Teller County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Fletcher, 52, was collecting brass from spent shell casings on Forest Service Road 379 just before 3 p.m. Saturday.
When someone started shooting nearby, Fletcher and his adult daughter took cover behind their vehicle. Fletcher was struck in the shoulder by a stray round. He was taken to Penrose Hospital and is expected to recover.
Sheriff’s deputies said the incident took place in an area that was not designated for shooting by the Forest Service, and they believe that someone or a group of people firing off rounds illegally may be responsible for unintentionally shooting in the Fletchers’ direction.
“You’re supposed to have a backstop behind your target, so you can see and know where your bullets are going,” said Lt. Wes Walter. “That apparently wasn’t the case here. And it can take as long as 45 minutes to get help to that area. Shootings like this are a problem on both sides of the county line, Teller and El Paso.”
After a meeting Monday to discuss the situation, the Sheriff’s Office announced it would begin increasing enforcement in the area this weekend.
“We’d really need several deputies to do it safely and effectively, but we’ll see if we can get at least one to regularly patrol the area,” he said. “This is one of those places where people go to shoot because even though it’s illegal, it’s convenient, it’s free and people know there’s no law enforcement close by.”
Deputies will look for anyone target shooting in non-designated areas who are not following safety guidelines and may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Violators could be punished by a fine of $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
There are many “no shooting” signs posted in the area but authorities said the time has come for more direct action.
Sheriff Jason Mikesell promised to commit more resources to the problem.
“We’re going to put a stop to it this week,” he said. “We’re going to talk with the Forest Service also. They pay us $5,000 every year to enforce to patrol the forest, but that doesn’t scratch the surface.”
An example of the Sheriff Department’s tougher enforcement came Sunday, a day after the shooting. While questioning people during the investigation, deputies arrested Robert Barker, 40, a convicted felon who had five guns and is charged with possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
“He’s not a suspect in the Fletcher shooting but we know he was shooting in the prohibited area,” Mikesell said.
Deputies are asking anyone who may have seen anything in the area at the time of the weekend shooting to call them at 719-687-9652.
