An 80-year-old man working in a nearby field was injured after being struck by a rifle shot fired to hunt water deer in Incheon.

According to the Incheon Fire Headquarters and the Yeongjong Police Station, a report was received at around 11:15 a.m. yesterday (October 23) stating that an 80-year-old man, identified as A, was injured in a shooting accident on Jangbongdo Island, Ongjin-gun, Incheon.

Police investigations revealed that a hunter in his 60s, identified as B, fired a rifle toward a water deer after receiving a request from a resident complaining that water deer were damaging crops.

During the process, A, who was working in a nearby pepper field, was hit in the leg by birdshot from the rifle fired by B. He was transported to a hospital by 119 emergency services and is reportedly not in life-threatening condition.

B reportedly stated during police questioning, "I couldn't see A because he was sitting down."

Police are currently investigating B on charges of professional negligence resulting in injury. A police official stated, "B had a valid firearm possession permit, and we plan to investigate the specific circumstances of the accident."

(Photo: Yonhap News)