Skunk chaser accidentally shoots himself in Box Elder County

ELWOOD, Box Elder County — A Box Elder County man accidentally shot himself in the head while pursuing a skunk on the family farm.

The sheriff's office says 27-year old Kelly Barfuss died from his injury. He was going to shoot the skunk from the passenger side of a pickup but decided to pull the .22 caliber handgun back into the cab.

Box Elder County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Kevin Potter says the gun was cocked and something caused it to fire.

Barfuss and his uncle were watering at the family farm Saturday night. He was flown to a hospital in Ogden, where he died. Barfuss' death is considered an accident.