Sidney hunter killed near Togus hospital

AUGUSTA – Maine recorded its second fatality of the current deer season Saturday when a hunter was shot near the Togus veterans’ hospital

The victim was identified as Jason Stoddard, 24, of Sidney.

Lt. Pat Dorian of the Maine Warden Service said Stoddard was with several other hunters and it was not clear who fired the fatal shot.

Dr. Henry Ryan, representing the State Medical Examiner’s Office, visited the scene. Stoddard’s body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The state’s first fatality of the deer season took place last month, on opening day. A 23-year-old hunter from Mexico, Frank Moore, died after he was accidentally shot in the back by another hunter in Carmel.

Officials said Maine had no hunting fatalities during the two previous deer seasons.