On Thursday, Jan. 9, at approximately 3:59 p.m. the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an oil field worker struck by a bullet while working on a pulling unit in the 1500 block of R Road, in rural Eureka. Deputies responded to the area as the victim was transported to the Greenwood County Hospital by personal vehicle.
According to the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, deputies later learned that Seth Vanpool, 36, of Eureka was working for Warhorse Petroleum on a pulling unit, when he was struck by a bullet in the bottom of his left foot. Deputies received information that the gunshots were heard to the west of the pulling unit and were able to locate Shannon Shepherd, 45, of Eureka shooting rifles on a home-made shooting range, also in the 1500 block of R Road.
Shepherd, who was unaware that anyone had been struck by a bullet, stated he had fired approximately 20 rounds at several different targets, as deputies documented the scene and noted that Shepherd was shooting in a location that appeared to be safe. It was also noted that Shepherd was surprised to learn that one of the bullets deflected, veering approximately 980 yards over a hill and through some trees, ultimately striking Vanpool’s foot.
Vanpool was later transported by personal vehicle to Wichita, where the bullet was removed, and he returned home later that night.
This was ruled an accidental shooting and no further investigation is needed.
