Two teens may be charged in accidental shooting of motorist in Buffalo

Teens shooting guns inadvertently struck a Wright County woman.

Last update: October 29, 2009 - 8:12 PM

Wright County authorities said Thursday that what appears to be the accidental shooting of a 67-year-old motorist in Buffalo, Minn., could result in charges against a pair of teenagers.

A 19-year-old from Buffalo and a 17-year-old from Montrose, Minn., were arrested following the Wednesday afternoon shooting, according to the County Sheriff's Office.

Sandra Holtze, 67, reported to police at 4:43 p.m. that she was approaching Buffalo on westbound Hwy. 55 when she was struck by something and believed she'd been shot.

Sheriff's deputies and Buffalo police responded to the scene, and Holtze was taken to Buffalo Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. She was treated and released.

Authorities searched the area and found the teenagers, who had been shooting near Hwy. 55 and 10th Street in Buffalo Township. A search warrant was executed at the 19-year-old's home on Hwy. 55.

Sheriff's Lt. Todd Hoffman said it appears the teenagers didn't fire at the car on purpose, but they could be charged with reckless discharge of a firearm.

The county attorney will receive the case today for consideration of charges, Hoffman said.

ABBY SIMONS

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