Andrew Todd Brendel, a 45-year-old resident of Palm Coast, Florida, tragically died on January 29, 2015, in what authorities believe was a hunting accident. Brendel was hunting nuisance hogs with his 19-year-old friend, Darnell Hyppolite, when the incident occurred. According to Hyppolite, Brendel tripped while walking through the woods and accidentally shot himself with a .22 caliber rifle. The bullet struck Brendel in the abdomen, causing a fatal injury.
Despite efforts by rescuers, Brendel succumbed to his injuries at Halifax Hospital later that evening.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation into the incident. Deputies arrived at Brendel's mother's home, where they found Brendel being treated by rescuers. Hyppolite recounted that he heard a gunshot and Brendel told him to call 911, explaining that he had tripped and the gun went off. Hyppolite assisted Brendel to the front of the house and waited with him for rescuers. The .22 caliber rifle, which had one spent round in the chamber and eleven live rounds in the magazine, was found behind a couch in the house. Deputies also retrieved Hyppolite's Winchester 30-30 rifle from the woods near the shooting site.
Further investigation revealed that Brendel had been arrested for felony possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana in Volusia County just over two weeks before his death. This was his only recorded arrest in Volusia or Flagler counties. The investigation into the shooting was ongoing at the time the initial incident report was filed, with both firearms taken to the Flagler County Evidence Division for further examination. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer also participated in the investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the shooting.
There were no indications of foul play or suspects involved in Brendel's death, and it was treated as an accidental shooting based on the available evidence and witness statements. The case did not lead to any arrests or litigation related to the incident, and it was concluded as a tragic accident during a hunting trip.
