NY Woman Rose Billquist Shot Dead While Walking Dogs After Mistaken For Deer

New York woman, Rosemary A. Billquist, was reportedly shot dead around 5:24 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Armenian Road in the Town of Sherman after being mistaken for a deer.

The hunter said he mistakenly identified a deer and shot Billquist, 34, of Sherman, NY., while she was walking her dogs, according to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office. The shooter’s identity was not revealed by police.

Billquist was transported to UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA where she later succumbed to her injuries.

According to deputies, a man believed he saw a deer in a field when he fired a single shot pistol. The man told the Sheriff’s Office he heard a scream and immediately responded to the area, about 200 yards away, where he discovered the woman. The incident happened around 5:24 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Armenian Road in the Town of Sherman. After Billquist was shot, the man called 911 and applied pressure to Billquist’s wound until EMS arrived, according to deputies. A preliminary investigation suggests that the man fired the shot after sunset, which is the legal limit to hunt deer. Billquist was apparently walking her dogs at the time of the incident. source

No charges have been filed yet, but the investigation is continuing.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police joined the Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends at this difficult time.