Bachelor party guest dies, hit by shrapnel during target shoot, say Minn. police

(CBS) ARENDAHL TOWNSHIP, Minn. - A 47-year-old Minnesota man was killed when he was hit by shrapnel at a bachelor-bachelorette party over the weekend where the guests were target shooting, CBS Minnesota reported.

Authorities in Arendahl Township called the incident a "terrible tragedy" that was probably an accident, although they are investigating.

The Fillmore County Sheriff's Office said Jeffrey Taylor and his two sons were invited to the party, which took place on Saturday and where some guests were shooting explosive targets for entertainment, the sheriff's office said.

At about 9 p.m. Saturday, one person shot at a staged target with several people nearby, including Taylor. The sheriff's office said Taylor was struck by shrapnel and collapsed with a wound to his abdomen.

"You hit it with a high-powered riffle, and it explodes," said Sheriff Daryl Jensen. "It's tragic, it's sad and easy for us to say that it was preventable. I don't think anyone there meant anything bad to happen."

Authorities said the shooter was closer to the target than was the victim, Taylor.

He was taken to a nearby location and tended to by a Rushford ambulance as well as a Mayo Clinic helicopter, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of death will be announced pending results from Taylor's autopsy.

"We feel so bad for the family, and certainly on Father's Day it's a real tragedy," Jensen said.

The case has been turned over to the county attorney for review. Jensen said the man who fired the shot feels horrible.