Sheriff's department completes investigation

Authorities continue to investigate the shooting of a deer hunter last week in northwestern Crow Wing County.

About 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 8 the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department responded to a call that Jeffrey Dean Ford, 39, Pequot Lakes, had suffered a gunshot wound to his chest while deer hunting in Timothy Township. Ford was hunting in the area with several other people.

Ford was airlifted to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd and then to St. Cloud Hospital, where he died.

Crow Wing County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Debi Backdahl on Wednesday declined to comment on the events that led up to the shooting. She said the case has been forwarded to the Crow Wing County attorney's office for review, which is protocol in all shooting-related incidents which the sheriff's department investigates.

Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang on Tuesday said the shooting appeared to be accidental, though it was still being investigated.

Crow Wing County Attorney Don Ryan was unavailable Wednesday for comment. Calls to assistant county attorneys Wednesday were not returned.

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.