Marksman gets probation for accidental shooting

Associated Press

EDINBURG, Texas (AP) — A South Texas man has been sentenced to probation for the accidental shooting of two middle school students struck while trying out for the school basketball team.

The Monitor in McAllen reports (http://bit.ly/1fBVn7n ) District Court Judge Bobby Flores on Monday sentenced 38-year-old Dustin Wesley Cook to three years supervised released. Cook had pleaded no contest to criminal negligence charges.

Cook was target shooting in a field about a mile behind Harwell Middle School on Dec. 12, 2011. Shots hit then-13-year-old Nicholas Tijerina and then-14-year-old Edson Amaro,. Tijerina cannot walk and Amaro lost a kidney and suffered other internal damage.

Cook apologized in court Monday but maintained he had not been reckless or negligent. Both families have pending civil lawsuits.

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Information from: The Monitor, http://www.themonitor.com