Patterson recovering at Pensacola hospital
Patterson with his wife Summer
A 2012 Flomaton High School graduate remained in Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola after being shot while deer hunting Saturday morning near Wolf Log Road.
Austin Patterson was apparently hit by three buckshot pellets while hunting with his brother-in-law Jared Hinote.
Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said the two were near each other when they heard the dogs coming.
"Austin ran down the road and the deer passed between the two when Hinote shot," Jackson said. "He then heard Austin scream that he'd been hit."
Patterson was loaded into a truck and taken to a nearby house to wait for an ambulance to arrive. He was later transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart where he underwent surgery.
Patterson's wife Summer is posting updates on Patterson's condition on Facebook.
Sheriff Jackson said from all appearances it was a hunting accident, but noted that all shootings are investigated.
"It was a tragic accident that could have been a lot worse," Jackson said.
He said he didn't expect any charges to be filed but the incident is being investigated by the sheriff's office and the Alabama Department of Conservation.
A fundraising project is in the works for the Patterson family but as of Wednesday plans have not been finalized.
