What should’ve been a peaceful spring morning in the woods turned deadly back in April, when a turkey hunt in California ended with one man dead—and another facing murder charges.
According to a press release by Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, it happened just after 9 a.m. on April 6 in the Fremont Weir Wildlife Area. Sutter County deputies arrived to find 65-year-old Shawn Parrish of Sacramento fatally shot in the back of the head. Despite life-saving efforts, Parrish was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooter? 80-year-old John Lee, who told investigators he fired into thick brush, thinking he saw movement from a turkey. He never actually laid eyes on a bird—he just took the shot.
Let that sink in: no target in sight. Just a hunch. And a life lost.
Lee was arrested on the spot and charged with second-degree murder and negligent discharge of a firearm.
It’s a tragedy out of California, but the lesson hits home here in Montana, where hunting is more than sport—it’s heritage and a way of life for many. You can be chasing spring gobblers in the breaks or tracking elk in November snow, and the rules of hunter safety apply to everyone, every time.
See it. Know it. Then—and only then—take the shot.
Montanans pride themselves on responsible hunting, but a reminder now and then never hurt anybody: identify your target with your own eyes, and be 100% sure of what’s behind it. In seconds, a careless decision can become irreversible.
So as you head out into Big Sky country this season, carry this story with you. Be sharp. Be safe. And remember—no game is worth a life.
