Stevenson killed by bullet, not bear
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| Steve Stevenson |
Ty Bell, 20, reportedly mistook the grizzly for a black bear that morning while he and three others, including Stevenson, were hunting black bear, and fired a shot, wounding the bear, which ran into deep underbrush. After waiting nearly an hour, Bell and Stevenson began tracking the wounded animal when the bear attacked, going first for Bell. Stevenson got between the bear and his young hunting partner and took the attack, saving his friend.
Bell opened fire on the grizzly, emptying his rifle and grabbing up Stevenson's in an attempt to save his friend's life, killing the bear. Apparently, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, one of the several shots he fired struck Stevenson in the chest.
Services for Stevenson were held September 23 in the Winnemucca, Nevada, Convention Center, Bell serving as a pall bearer for the friend he tried to save.
No charges have been filed as the investigation continues, and it's unknown whether any will be brought. Lincoln County sheriffs investigators say it will be at least three weeks before additional information is released.
Ty, the son of Candy Bell, Bonners Ferry, is said to be distraught but holding up strong in the wake of that morning's sad chain of events, bolstered by the support of his family and friends.