In the crisp air of a September morning on the Grand Mesa in Colorado, 14-year-old Justin Burns was on a bow-hunting trip with his father. An avid outdoorsman, the young male from Palisade enjoyed spending time in the mountains, and this day, September 13, 2015, was no different. He was a student at Palisade High School and was known for his love of hunting, hiking, and fishing, always diligent about safety.
As Justin and his father moved through the brush, the sound of a single gunshot
shattered the morning's quiet. Justin turned to his father and uttered, 'I've been shot,' before collapsing. His father, Cory Burns, desperately tried to stop the bleeding and cried out for help. A man appeared briefly, stated he didn't have a cell phone, and then disappeared. First responders who arrived at the scene were unable to save the teenager; he died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The investigation soon identified the shooter as Guy Pohto, a 59-year-old man from Minnesota. Pohto later admitted to investigators that he had taken what is known as a 'sound shot,' firing at a noise he heard in the brush without visually identifying his target. This reckless action had tragic consequences.
Pohto was charged with reckless manslaughter and careless hunting. In the ensuing legal proceedings, he pleaded guilty to the charges. A judge sentenced him to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of probation. In addition to the criminal charges, Justin Burns's heartbroken family also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pohto.
