Latvian police seek charges against hunter in fatal shooting

Latvian police are seeking charges against a hunter who fatally shot a man on his property in Vārve Parish, Ventspils Municipality, in June 2024. The man may have been trying to steal a car, according to LSM.

Police received a report at about 3 a.m. on June 23, 2024, that several properties in the parish had been burgled. One property owner, a hunter, took his hunting shotgun and fired at an uninvited visitor, injuring him. The man was taken to hospital, where he died.

Investigators found that the visitor had most likely tried to steal a car but could not drive out of the enclosed property. The owner said he had acted in self-defence. However, the shot struck the man in the back, around the hip. Police said this indicated he had not been directly attacking the owner and had turned his back to him.

Police are seeking charges of intentionally causing serious bodily injury that resulted in the victim’s death through negligence, and violating the rules for using a firearm, causing serious consequences. The maximum penalty for the offences is 15 years in prison.