Bow Hunter in Custody Following Death of Hunting Partner

Pekarek attempted to render aid to Cummings and then called 911.

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(LA PINE, Ore.) - At 7:40 a.m. this morning, Deschutes County 911 received a 911 call from 52-year old Michael Shawn Pekarek, stating he had shot his hunting partner with an arrow while they were bow hunting.

Pekarek was given instructions on how to perform CPR from Deschutes County 911, which he did until Deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and medics from the La Pine Fire Department arrived on scene.

Shortly after first responders arrived on scene, they determined that 45-year old Jeffrey Lynn Cummings was deceased.

The incident occurred near USFS Road 9736, approximately one half mile south of Paulina Lake Road. This location was approximately 6-7 miles east of Highway 97.

Detectives from Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Troopers from the Oregon State Police Game Division responded to assist in the investigation.

The investigation determined Cummings and Pekarek were bow hunting on USFS Road 9736, when Pekarek spotted a mule deer on the west side of the road.

Pekarek was a passenger in the vehicle and he exited the vehicle with his bow to attempt a shot at the deer. Cummings exited the vehicle with his bow and remained on the road.

Michael Pekarek briefly saw the deer and was ready to fire his arrow at the deer, but it moved out of view.

Pekarek turned with his bow pointed toward Jeffrey Cummings to tell him the deer was moving toward him, when he released the arrow. The arrow struck Cummings in the abdomen and he fell down.

Pekarek attempted to render aid to Cummings and then called 911. Cummings was pronounced deceased shortly after first responders arrived on scene.

Michael Pekarek was later arrested and lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail on one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, with a bail of $50,000.00.

The Deschutes County District Attorney's Office and Deschutes County Medical Examiner also assisted in this investigation. This investigation is on-going.

Source: Descutes County Sheriff's Office