Murder victim's father identified as hunter killed

By Tricia Pursell
The Daily Item

December 05, 2008 05:07 pm

— SELINSGROVE — A Kreamer man was killed in an apparent accidental shooting Thursday evening along Old Colony Road.
Blaine Allen Spickler, 47, of Kreamer, died from a gunshot wound to the chest area after a man who has not been identified by investigators, attempted to unload a .243-caliber Winchester rifle while inside his vehicle, according to Jerry Feaser of the state Game Commission. The accident took place on Snyder County Conservation District off Old Colony Road in Penn Township.
Spickler is the father of recent homicide victim, Charity Spickler, Snyder County Coroner Bruce Hummel confirmed.
The two had been talking before the gun went off, Feaser said. The shooter is believed to have been sitting in the passenger seat. Spickler was standing outside the passenger door and talking to him.
“The alleged offender has a permit to use a vehicle as a blind,” Feaser said. “He can hunt from a vehicle because of a disability.” The vehicle was in a stationary location at the time.
Feaser said the incident is being investigated as hunting-related. However, the two were not in the act of hunting.
The incident is said to have occurred because of an accidental discharge that was a result of a gun pointed in an unsafe direction, Feaser said. The investigation continues. No criminal charges have been filed.

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