Deputies: Ontario County man shot, killed by friend in ‘hunting incident’

PHELPS, N.Y. (WHEC) — Ontario County Deputies say a man from the county was shot and killed by a friend he was hunting with Thanksgiving morning.

The Ontario Sheriff’s Office went to the scene on Cross Road in Phelps for the report of someone shot just after 11 a.m.

They say 28-year-old Gorham native Zachary Barse was shot by his friend as Barse was tracking a deer he had shot. Deputies say he walked into the area where his friend was hunting up in a tree stand.

Barse was wearing camouflage and no orange clothing at the time he was shot. Deputies say after firing the shot the friend walked over to the area where he fired and realized he had hit Barse. The friend called 911 and attempted CPR until EMTs could arrive.

Barse was pronounced dead at the scene

Deputies are still investigating the shooting. A ruling is pending an autopsy from the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.