A Flomaton man has been charged with manslaughter during an illegal hunt after shooting a woman who later succumbed to her injuries in a hospital on Fri., Dec. 2, near Pollard, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said at approximately 6:29 p.m. on Dec. 2, multiple agencies received a 911 call in reference to a gunshot victim in the Pollard area.

“The caller was experiencing problems with his phone, but was finally able to get through,” Lambert said. “The caller was wanting the medical units to meet him at the intersection of Foshee Road and Highway 31. Ambulance, fire departments and law enforcement officers arrived to find a female subject with a gunshot wound to her side.”

According to the ADCNR, Shannon Heath Bell of Flomaton, and Donna Loraine Martin, also of Flomaton, were illegally deer hunting from a compact pickup truck on County Road 40. Bell was pulling a rifle out of the vehicle, stock first, when it discharged, hitting Martin in the stomach, according to a preliminary hunting report.

Martin was transported to D.W. McMillian Hospital, where she underwent life-saving measures and surgery, but succumbed to her injuries.

“As a result of the preliminary investigation, a warrant was obtained and (Bell) was placed under arrest and charged with manslaughter,” he said.

Lambert said Bell was placed in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, where bond was set at $25,000.

The case is still under investigation, other charges could be pending, it was turned over to the district attorney and will be presented to the county grand jury.