HOWARD COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) - A 28-year-old man was killed when he was accidentally shot in the chest while hunting with family members, police officials in Howard County say.

Officials in Howard County say Joseph Steele was in a wooded area near his home arounf 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening.

Witnesses told police the group had split up and at some point lost sight of Steele.

One of the hunters fired at what he thought was a squirrel in the distance.

Steele's amily members say they heard Steele yell that he had been shot just after the gun went off.

Police say the family members are cooperating with investigators.\

An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday morning.

Stay tuned to WISHTV.com for more details on this developing story.

What a shame !!!!

Just shaking my head in disbelief...

Very sad.

+1

Some thing sounds fishy on the surface. Have yet to see a grown man on the ground [?] look like a squirrel. Waiting for the final report.

Yes fishy, if it was a shot gun, they had to be close. If it was a .22 what are the chances of a kill shot? Wonder how many of these "accidents" are not that at all.

I wouldn't want to be shot in the chest with a .22,,,,irregardless,,2 lives have been destroyed forever.

Will be interesting to hear the facts of what took place.

Neither would I...If a .22 shell penetrates, it will not exit but just bounce around and do catastrophic damage...

You are right though.... 2 lives have been destroyed forever....

WoW. How can this kind of thing happen. Does indeed sound fishy. I can't remember the last if any squirrel hunting fatality. Always taught to shoot one out of tree never on ground or nest. Those were my fathers teachings to me. Late 70s early 80s. Has it changed? And obviously always know your target. Heard of the deer and turkey vision after starring so long but not squirrel!!!