In the late evening hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026, a hunting trip in rural Fulton County, Indiana, turned into an unforeseen tragedy. Andrew Boots, a 31-year-old man from North Judson, was out hunting raccoons with a group of friends and family near County Road 500 West. As the hunt progressed under the dark sky, a member of the party took aim and fired at a raccoon that was climbing a tree. The shot, however, did not find its intended target.
Instead, the bullet ricocheted off the tree with unpredictable force.
The deflected round struck Andrew Boots in the abdomen. Emergency personnel were called to the scene around 10:30 p.m. and found him suffering from a critical gunshot wound. He was rushed to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for emergency treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Andrew Boots succumbed to his injuries and passed away. His death has been officially recorded as happening on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources launched an investigation into the fatal incident. According to authorities, the initial investigation points to this being a tragic hunting accident. At this time, no foul play is suspected, and there has been no mention of any arrests or charges being filed in connection with the death. The focus of the investigation is to understand the precise circumstances that led to the fatal ricochet. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office and the Indiana State Police also assisted at the scene.
Andrew was a husband and the father of two young sons. He was described by his family as someone who cherished the simple moments, like working on projects, fishing, and playing outside with his boys. He was an owner/operator truck driver and one of ten siblings. In the wake of his sudden death, the community has rallied around his family, leaving behind a profound sense of loss for a life cut short during what was meant to be a routine outdoor excursion.
