On Sunday, 2/5/2023, UPSO deputies were called to the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, near Pace Brown Road in the Dean community of Marion, in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division began investigating the circumstances that left a man wounded.

Deputies learned that Tony McKinnie, 39 and Cody Ebey, 33, both of Farmerville, were in the federal wildlife refuge hunting squirrels. Both men stated that while squirrel hunting, a group of feral hogs began to attack one of their squirrel dogs. Ebey then attempted to separate their dog from the group of hogs, when one of the hogs charged McKinnie. The hog struck McKinnie in the leg, causing him to fall over. While falling, McKinnie attempted to shoot the hog with a .17 HMR rifle. The gunshot missed the hog, and struck Ebey in the arm, instead.

McKinnie then began first aid and called for assistance. Northeast Union Fire District arrived on scene and began treating Ebey, who was later transported to a local hospital by Pafford EMS. The investigation determined that the bullet passed through the victim’s arm and then lodged in his leg.

Both men advised deputies that the shooting was accidental. This incident remains under investigation, in coordination with Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries - Enforcement Division and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service