Man held in shooting during his own backwoods bachelor party

Published 1:30 am Saturday, July 9, 2016

Associated Press

TACOMA — An Orting man is accused of firing a shotgun inside a pickup truck during a backwoods bachelor party the night before his wedding, critically injuring a teenager who was riding in the bed.

The News Tribune reported that Tirus Rushton, 39, pleaded not guilty to third-degree assault with a firearm during his arraignment Thursday. He posted a $10,000 bail bond on Friday.

Sheriff’s deputies say Rushton was celebrating the night of July 1 when he, his son, his son’s 18-year-old friend, and three other people decided to go shooting. According to charging papers, they were driving up a dirt road when Rushton started shooting out the truck’s windows.

Pellets hit the 18-year-old’s cheek, eye and arm. Relatives said his condition was improving but that he is now blind in one eye.