Injury Blamed on Stray Rifle Shot

Investigators say a U.S. Forest Service intern shot in the back in a canyon eight miles north of Glendora most likely was hit by a stray bullet from a nearby target-shooting range.

College student Raymon Torres, 22, who teaches fire prevention, was wounded Saturday afternoon while patrolling Bichota Canyon in the Angeles National Forest. Torres was released from Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora later that day after surgeons removed the bullet.

Special Agent Rita Plair said Forest Service officials searched the area near Highway 39 for two days and found no evidence that the shooting was intentional. She said investigators think Torres was hit by a stray bullet from a target range a quarter-mile away. She said Torres was below the range and was hit by a bullet from a .22-caliber rifle.

Torres told Forest Service officials he was driving through the canyon with his partner when he heard gunshots coming from a wooded area. He told officials he got out of the truck to investigate and was shot in the right side of the back. He did not see who shot him.