By David Fleet

Editor

Atlas Twp.-At approximately 5 p.m., Nov. 16, Township Supervisor Tere Onica reported a bullet striking a tree branch about three feet over her head as she exited the township hall, 7386 S. Gale Road.

Onica said she heard two shots before one of the errant bullets, traveling west to east, severed a one inch branch on an apple tree near the parking lot.

Onica reported the incident to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office who investigated the shots fired.

Detective Sergeant George Lieber of the GCSO said that Deputy Seeley spoke with two hunters on nearby property who stated they fired two shots at approximately the same time as the incident. The hunters stated they were approximately 1,200 feet from the Atlas Township offices and were separated from the offices by a patch of woods. The hunters stated they did not believe the ammunition they were firing would travel that far.

“The stray bullet incident, which coincided with the Nov.15 start of the Michigan Firearm Deer season, is unfortunately common in the township during hunting season,” said Lieber. “Remember, bullets can travel farther than anticipated and can change direction after ricocheting off other objects including brush and trees.”

Lieber reminds hunters to always have a safe and secure backstop for any bullets fired and always follow Michigan Department of Natural Resources recommendations for safe hunting practices.

The case remains under investigation.