WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — State wildlife officials say a veteran officer will not face charges for fatally shooting a turkey hunter.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission said state and local investigators have determined that Officer Mark Minton was reasonably responding to the threat of deadly force.
Officials have said that Minton was patrolling in Wilkes County on the first day of turkey hunting season, April 11, when the confrontation occurred and the officer shot and killed 76-year-old Clyde Coffey of Caldwell County.
Gordon Myers, the executive director of the commission, said an internal investigation is ongoing.



![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2012/02/04/10712136/pics_agunn53833-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717011/10717011-1328936455-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717059/10717059-1328939591-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717043/10717043-1328939633-100x75.jpg)





WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
July 3, 2009 5:55 p.m.
July 3, 2009 11:12 a.m.