PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The shot came out of nowhere.

The slug from the hunter’s shotgun passed through the Leet Township bedroom into the bathroom and through the bathroom door, before hitting molding in the hallway.

It came only inches from where Phillip Call was standing. He had just paused to speak with a workman.

“I was on my way to the restroom, but the plumber asked me a question so I stopped,” said Call. “If I had kept on walking, the bullet would have hit me.”

And the near death experience didn’t sit well.

“There’s a guy out there hunting that’s being that negligent with a weapon – high-powered weapon,” Call added. “He’s being careless. He’s not being a responsible.”

On Tuesday, the hunter – 69-year-old William Kuriger of Sewickley – was in court. He is charged with firing into the 150-yard safety zone and damage to property.

He agreed to pay $500 in fines and his insurance company has shelled out $14,000 to the Calls for repairs.

But District Justice Robert Ford went further by suspending Kuriger’s hunting license for a year and ordering him to take a hunting safety course.

Call was satisfied.

“He deserves that,” Call said. “He should lose his license, he should pay his fines, he should take a safety course. Maybe he’ll be more careful in the future.”

Kuriger was contrite.

Kuriger: “I just want to say thank God that no one got hurt. It was an accident.”

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan: “It was an accident, and the penalty the judge imposed? That’s a fair one for you?

Kuriger: “I guess it’s fair. An accident is an accident. I’m sorry.”

RELATED LINKS:
Hunter Facing Charges After Bullet Hits Home In Leet Township (11/30/12)
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