Pistol fired while resident was crossing fence

SINAI — An accidental shooting has taken the life of a rural Sinai resident, according to a news release from the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.

Steven Hanson, 44, died in the incident, which reported at 5 p.m. Tuesday at a residence on 217^th Street near 457^th Avenue, Assistant Sheriff Scott Sebring wrote in the release. It is thought to have occurred between noon and 5 p.m., he added.

It was found that Hanson had been target practicing with a pistol and, while walking back from the target, he needed to cross a cattle panel fence. While crossing this fence, the pistol inadvertently fired and struck Hanson once. When crews arrived at the scene, life-saving measures were attempted, but they were not successful.

The incident is being investigated by the sheriff’s office. Other responding agencies were the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Sinai Fire Department, Volga Fire Department and Brookings Ambulance.