Story Published: Jun 15, 2009 at 2:03 PM PDT
Story Updated: Jun 15, 2009 at 4:13 PM PDT
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ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — An Astoria man who shot a fellow camper has pleaded no contest to an assault charge.
Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis says 27-year-old Troy Buganan will be sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison. Buganan must also pay the victim's medical bills, which exceed $100,000.
The shooting happened Sept. 15 at a campground along the Nehalem River.
Buganan said he heard rustling in the brush and thought he was being attacked by a mountain lion. He fired a rifle eight to 10 times, striking Benjamin McCauley of Astoria in the head, neck and chest.
Marquis says the authorities don't believe Buganan's version of events and think alcohol played a role in the incident.
McCauley recovered at a Portland hospital.
(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press)