The 35-year-old turkey hunter who was fatally shot by his hunting partner Saturday in Green Ridge State Forest in Western Maryland has been identified as Stamos Courpas of Fairfax, Va., according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Two other hunters were wounded in unrelated shooting mishaps over the weekend, a third was injured in a fall from a tree, and another apparently got lost in a state forest.
Courpas, a software engineer who emigrated from Greece to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees from Loyola College in Maryland, had been a hunter for several years and was out last weekend with Charles Lepovetski of Ranson, W.Va., a co-worker, according to Courpas family.
Courpas, dressed in camouflage clothing, was not wearing a bright orange cap or vest, which are not required in turkey season, said Cpl. Ken Turner, a spokesman for Natural Resources Police.
Courpas and Lepovetski were hunting near Sugar Bottom Road in Allegany County about 10 a.m. Saturday when one of the hunters mistook his hunting partner as a turkey and shot and fatally wounded him, Turner said.
In the other incidents reported by authorities:
*Eddie C. Graham, 52, of Washington, was mistakenly shot by another man while rabbit hunting Saturday in Charles County. His condition was unknown.
*Joseph R. Medell, 63, of Pasadena, was mistakenly shot Sunday while quail hunting at a regulated shooting area near Cambridge. His condition was unknown. Charles D. Russell Jr., 60, of Chester, was charged with negligent hunting in connection with the incident.
*Daniel P. Evans, 34, of North East, was hurt when he fell 15 feet from a tree Friday while deer hunting in Elk Neck State Park. Evans was not using a tree stand or safety harness, Turner said. His condition was unknown.
*William Redman, 25, of Pasadena, spent two nights in Savage River State Forest in Garrett County after becoming separated from his hunting party. He was found in good condition Sunday.
