Delaware Hunter Mistakenly Kills Woman, Police Report

Delaware hunter kills woman he mistook for deer, faces charges. Investigation continues as community mourns.

September 21, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Ellendale, Delaware — A man in Delaware was charged with manslaughter after fatally shooting a woman he believed to be a deer, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred on Friday evening in Ellendale when Walter Moorhead, 74, of Salisbury, Maryland, fired his rifle at what he thought was a deer. The shot struck Santos Maria Chilel Soto, 39, who was walking with a man and two children at the time. Soto later died from her injuries despite emergency medical care.

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Moorhead was taken into custody at the scene and released on a $43,000 bond. He now faces multiple charges, including manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and possession of a firearm during a felony. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have asked for public assistance in gathering more information about the case.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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