Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an unintentional shooting that occurred today in southern Carroll County. At approximately 11 a.m. Saturday, Carroll County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a man had been shot while rabbit hunting.
Investigators determined three men had been hunting along an abandoned railroad bed north of Cutler. Michael Clendening, 27, was hunting, using a 12 gauge shotgun, when he took a shot at a running rabbit. Clendening stated he did not see another hunter, Nathaniel Seele, 35, hunting the same area. After Clendening fired the shot, Seele fell to the ground and yelled that he had been shot. It was estimated that Seele was 10 yards away from Clendening when he was shot. Clendening and another hunter quickly rendered aid, and at Seele’s request, drove him home. Once home, emergency services were called. Seele was flown to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officer Jarred Coffing determined the three hunters were legally hunting and were wearing the required orange clothing.