Hunter who said he mistook dad, kid for deer charged in their deaths, SC officials say

South Carolina wildlife officials said charges have been brought against the hunter who fatally shot a man and his 9-year-old daughter on Jan. 1, telling authorities he mistook them for deer.

Sean Michael Peterson, 30, of Colleton County, was charged Wednesday with criminal negligent use of firearms resulting in death, Colleton County court records show.

Kim Drawdy, 30, and Lauren Drawdy, 9, were part of a group of four hunters “driving a deer” — or moving it through the woods — when they were shot, the Island Packet previously reported.

They were hunting on New Year’s Day, on a rural piece of farmland off of Barracada Road near Walterboro, about 45 minutes west of Charleston, the outlet reported.

New Year’s Day is the final day of deer season in the state.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has been investigating the incident since January, and is still the lead agency on the case.