Man tries to kill squirrel scampering up his leg but shoots himself in the foot

A Monroe man trying to shoot a squirrel wound up shooting himself.

Ethan Bennett, 36, told Benton County sheriff’s deputies he was at his residence at about 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday when he tried to shoot the rodent with a .22-calibre rifle. The squirrel reportedly ran up his leg, and he pulled the trigger, hitting himself in the foot.



Deputies contacted Bennett at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, where he drove himself after the accident. Law enforcement agencies investigate all gunshot wounds admitted to the hospital.

Hospital personnel said Bennett was treated and released. Capt. Greg Ridler said Bennett did not kill the squirrel. “The squirrel scared him,” Ridler said.