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{{Short description|Accidental shooting involving Dick Cheney in 2006}}
{{Current}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}
The '''Dick Cheney hunting incident''' occurred on [[February 11]], [[2006]], when [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Dick Cheney|Cheney]] accidently shot and injured [[Harry Whittington]], a prominent [[Texas]] [[attorney at law|attorney]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[campaign finance|fundraiser]], while hunting a [[covey]] of [[quail]] <ref name="smokinggun_incident_report"> [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0213061cheney1.html Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunting Accident and Incident Report Form], 13 February 2006, posted in [[The Smoking Gun]]. URL Accessed on 14 February 2006. </ref> with a 28-[[Shotgun#Gauge|gauge]] [[shotgun]]. The [[George W. Bush administration|Bush administration]] delayed disclosure of the shooting incident for one day. The day after the shooting, the owner of the ranch [[Katharine Armstrong]] notified a local newspaper, the [[Corpus Christi Caller-Times]]. Cheney did not speak about the incident until four days later, in an interview with [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]. On [[February 14]], [[2006]], Whittington suffered a non-fatal [[Myocardial infarction#Symptoms|"silent" heart attack]] and [[atrial fibrillation]] due to at least one lead-shot pellet lodged in or near his heart.
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
<ref name="Seattlepi_14Feb"> {{citenews |
{{Infobox civilian attack
org = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | title = Hunter shot by Cheney has heart attack | date = 14 February 2006 |url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Cheney_Whittington.html?source=mypi }} </ref>
| title = Shooting of Harry Whittington
| location = [[Riviera, Texas]], U.S.
| date = {{Start date and age|2006|02|11}}
| type = Accidental shooting
| weapon = [[Gauge (firearms)|28-gauge]] [[Perazzi]] [[shotgun]]
| victim = [[Harry Whittington]] (survived)
| perpetrator = [[Dick Cheney]]
}}


On February{{nbs}}11, 2006, then-[[Vice President of the United States|United States vice president]] [[Dick Cheney]] shot [[Harry Whittington]], a then-78-year-old [[Texas]] [[Lawyer|attorney]], with a [[shotgun gauge|28-gauge]] [[Perazzi]] [[shotgun]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/see-dick-run |title=See Dick. Run! |date=February 11, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="Urbina 2006">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/weekinreview/what-dick-cheney-taught-us-about-hunting-last-week.html |title=What Dick Cheney Taught Us about Hunting Last Week |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 19, 2006 |last=Urbina |first=Ian |access-date=July 24, 2016 }}</ref> while participating in a [[quail hunting|quail hunt]] on a ranch in [[Riviera, Texas]].<ref>"[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0216061cheney1.html Texas Cops Release Cheney Shooting Report]", ''[[The Smoking Gun]]''</ref> Both Cheney and Whittington called the event an accident.
==Shooting incident==
On [[February 11]], [[2006]] at about 5:30 p.m. [[Central Standard Time Zone|local time]] (23:30 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]), Cheney shot [[Harry Whittington]], a prominent Texas attorney who reportedly was about thirty yards or 90 feet (27&nbsp;m) away, with an over-under Italian-made Perazzi 28-[[Gauge (bore diameter)|gauge]] [[shotgun]], loaded with lead number 7 1/2 [[Shotgun shell#Birdshot|birdshot]], while hunting [[quail]] <ref name="smokinggun_incident_report"/>.


The incident was reported to the ''[[Corpus Christi Caller-Times]]'' on February{{nbs}}12, 2006, by ranch owner Katherine Armstrong.<ref name="smokinggun_incident_report">[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0213061cheney1.html Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunting Accident and Incident Report Form], February 13, 2006, posted in [[The Smoking Gun]]. URL Accessed on February 14, 2006.</ref> The [[George W. Bush administration|Bush administration]] disclosed the shooting incident to the public the afternoon of February{{nbs}}12. Local authorities released a report on the shooting on February{{nbs}}16, 2006, and witness statements on February{{nbs}}22.
According to [[Katharine Armstrong]], the owner of the ranch, Whittington had left the shooting party to retrieve two downed quail and returned, but did not signal other hunters of his arrival. Cheney turned around to shoot at a bird, unaware that Whittington was behind him, and fired, shooting Whittington with pellets of bird shot, but apparently not the center of the discharge. <ref> {{citenews | title = Cheney shooting delay under fire | org = BBC | date = 14 February 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4711372.stm}} </ref> Armstrong claimed that all in the hunting party were wearing blaze-orange safety gear and none had been drinking <ref> {{citenews | title = White House Deferred to Cheney on Shooting | org = Washington Post | date = 14 February 2006 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021300452.html }} </ref>, and that at lunch they drank [[Dr Pepper]] [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-021406cheney_lat,0,2817272,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines], which contradicts her later statement that "there may (have been) a beer or two in there, but remember not everyone in the party was shooting." [http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20060215/cm_thenation/160212;_ylt=A86.I1cDX_ND4h4BGQj9wxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--] Cheney has acknowledged that he had one beer four or five hours prior to the shooting. Shortly after the incident, he fixed himself a cocktail. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/15/cheney/index.html] Armstrong did not actually see the incident happen, believing that the reason Cheney's security detail was running was that Cheney had a heart problem, [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11349649/] although Cheney described her as an eyewitness in his Fox interview.[http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1001269.php]


On February{{nbs}}14, 2006, Whittington suffered a non-fatal [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] and [[atrial fibrillation]] due to at least one [[lead shot]] lodged in or near his heart.<ref name="Seattlepi_14Feb">{{cite news |publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |title=Shotgun Victim Has Minor Heart Attack / Pellet Shot by Cheney Moves to Heart |date=February 15, 2006 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/politics/article/Shotgun-victim-has-minor-heart-attack-Pellet-2541546.php?source=mypi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220042511/http://www.seattlepi.com/politics/article/Shotgun-victim-has-minor-heart-attack-Pellet-2541546.php?source=mypi |archive-date=February 20, 2015 }}</ref> He also had a [[collapsed lung]]. Cheney did not speak publicly about the incident until February{{nbs}}15 in an interview with [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]. Early reports indicated that Cheney and Whittington were friends and that the injuries were minor. Whittington later clarified that he and Cheney were not close friends but acquaintances.<ref name="Wapo_Prime2010">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/13/AR2010101307173.html | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | first=Paul | last=Farhi | title=Since Dick Cheney shot him, Harry Whittington's aim has been to move on | date=October 14, 2010}}</ref>
[[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agents and medical aides, who were traveling with Cheney, came to Whittington's assistance and treated his birdshot wounds to his right cheek, neck, and chest. An [[ambulance]] standing nearby for the Vice President took Whittington to nearby [[Kingsville, Texas|Kingsville]] before he was flown by helicopter to [[Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital]] in [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]].


==Shooting incident==
=== People present===
[[File:46 Dick Cheney 3x4.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Dick Cheney]]]]
The hunting party consisted of
* [[Dick Cheney]]
* [[Harry Whittington]]
* [[Pamela Willeford|Pamela Pitzer Willeford]], U.S. [[ambassador]] to [[Switzerland]] and [[Liechtenstein]]


===Day of shooting===
Others in the area were
The shooting was widely reported to have taken place on Saturday, February{{nbs}}11, 2006, based on the public statements of Katherine Armstrong, owner of the {{convert|50000|acre|km2|-1|adj=on}} Armstrong Ranch. However, in her statement to the Sheriff, she said the shooting happened on February{{nbs}}12. Harry Whittington said shortly after the incident, "Accidents do and will {{nowrap|happen{{px2}}{{mdash}}{{px2}}}}and that's what happened last Friday (February 10)."<ref name="hospital">{{cite web |publisher=NBC |title=Harry Whittington's hospital statement |date=February 17, 2006 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11409731 |access-date=July 7, 2016 }}</ref>
* [[Katharine Armstrong]], owner of the ranch
* Sara Storey Armstrong Hixon, Armstrong’s sister
* a [[Secret Service]] team


===Time of shooting===
At the time of the injury, Willeford was standing nearby in the field, and the sisters were sitting in a car parked nearby.
[[Mary Matalin]] stated on ''[[Meet the Press]]'' that "Somebody had talked to some ranch hand".<ref>{{cite news | work = NBC News | title = Meet the Press transcript |date=February 19, 2006 |url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11363075}}</ref> Neither the Sheriff's report nor witness statements identify who this first reporter was.


The Secret Service said that they gave notice to the Sheriff about one hour after the shooting.<ref name="cheney_cited">{{cite news|work=CBS News |title=Cheney Cited for Breaking Hunting Law |date=February 14, 2006 |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cheney-cited-for-breaking-hunting-law/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322092759/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cheney-cited-for-breaking-hunting-law/ |archive-date=March 22, 2015 }}</ref> [[Kenedy County, Texas|Kenedy County]] Sheriff Ramone Salinas III states he first heard of the shooting at about 5:30{{nbsp}}p.m. from Captain Charles Kirk, and Salinas implies that he received 'official' notice from the Secret Service at about 5:40{{nbsp}}p.m.
===Texas Parks and Wildlife Department report===


The time of the shooting was not stated by Cheney.<ref name="msnbc_interview">{{cite web |website=NBC News |title=Transcript of Cheney interview |date=February 15, 2006 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11373634 |access-date=April 28, 2023 }}</ref>
On February 13, 2006, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (an agency once headed by Armstrong[http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/13881466.htm]) issued an incident report. <ref name="smokinggun_incident_report"/> According to the report, the shooter (Cheney) "was swinging on game," that is to say, turning to track it with his gun. The summary of the incident given was:


===The events===
<blockquote>
Cheney had a televised interview about the shooting on February{{nbs}}15.<ref name="msnbc_interview"/> On February{{nbs}}22, the Sheriff's office released statements from Katherine Armstrong, Sarita Hixon, Pamela Pitzer Willeford, Oscar Medellin, Gerardo Medellin, and Andrew Hubert.
"Whittington downed a bird and went to retrieve it. While he was out of the hunting line, another covey was flushed and Cheney swung on a bird and fired, striking Whittington in the face, neck and chest."
</blockquote>


Cheney's statement and those of all six other hunting party members specify that Cheney, Whittington, and Willeford had shot at a [[covey]] of birds. While Whittington was searching for a downed bird, Cheney, Willeford, and a guide walked towards another covey about {{convert|100|yards}} away. Whittington approached within {{convert|30|or|40|yards}} of the shooters, at which point a single bird flew up, around, and behind Cheney in the direction of Whittington. Cheney shot at the bird and hit Whittington.
The report cited clear and sunny weather at the time of the shooting.


Armstrong, the ranch owner, claimed that all in the hunting party were wearing blaze-orange safety gear and none had been drinking,<ref>{{cite news | title = White House Deferred to Cheney on Shooting | newspaper = Washington Post |date=February 14, 2006 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021300452.html | first1=Jim | last1=VandeHei | first2=Sylvia | last2=Moreno | access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref> and that at lunch they drank [[beer]],<ref>{{cite news |work=The New York Times |title=Fellow Hunter Shot by Cheney Suffers Setback |date=February 15, 2006 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/15/politics/fellow-hunter-shot-by-cheney-suffers-setback.html |last=Bumiller |first=Elisabeth |access-date=July 7, 2016}}</ref> which is slightly contradictory to her later statement that "there may (have been) a beer or two in [the lunch coolers], but remember not everyone in the party was shooting."<ref name="host_lobby">{{cite news | title = Cheney's hunting host lobbied White House | publisher = NBC Investigative Unit via NBC News |date=February 15, 2006 |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11349649 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204033928/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11349649/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2014 }}</ref> Cheney has acknowledged that he had one beer four or five hours prior to the shooting. Armstrong said she never saw Cheney or Whittington drink until later at the house, where Cheney had a few cocktails.<ref>{{cite news | publisher = CNN | title = Cheney: 'One of the worst days of my life' |date=February 16, 2006 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/15/cheney/index.html }}</ref> Armstrong did not actually see the incident happen, believing that the reason Cheney's security detail was running was that Cheney had a heart problem,<ref name="host_lobby"/> but Cheney described her as an eyewitness in his Fox interview.<ref name="msnbc_interview"/>
==Whittington injury==
[[Image:HWhittington.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Harry Whittington speaks at press conference after being discharged from hospital]]
Whittington was injured in the face, neck, and upper torso. Whittington was reported to be in stable condition at [http://www.christusspohn.org/locations_memorial.htm Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial] and had been moved from intensive care to a "step-down unit" on Monday. Doctors had decided to leave up to 200 pieces of birdshot pellets lodged in his body rather than try to remove them. Each pellet is less than a tenth of an inch (2.5&nbsp;mm) in diameter. Because of their small size, it is hard to pinpoint its precise location of each pellet with medical imaging.


[[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agents and medical aides, who were traveling with Cheney, came to Whittington's assistance and treated his birdshot wounds to his right cheek, neck, and chest. An ambulance standing nearby for the Vice President took Whittington to close by [[Kingsville, Texas|Kingsville]] before he was flown by helicopter to [[Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital]] in [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]].
On [[February 14]]th, 2006, at 6:30am, Whittington suffered a minor [[heart attack]] and [[atrial fibrillation]] due to the shot pellets lodged in or near his heart <ref name="Seattlepi_14Feb"/>. He was immediately moved back to the intensive care unit. At about 9 a.m., Whittingon underwent a [[cardiac catheterization]] test to detect blocked or leaky arteries. A thin tube was inserted from Whittington's groin up into the arteries near his heart. The doctors injected a dye to monitor his blood flow patterns and closely examine the interior of the heart. From the test, doctors found a single lead pellet. <ref name="houston_chronicle_15feb"> {{citenews | title = Man shot by Cheney has complications |org = Houston Chronicle | date = 15 February 2006 | url = http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3660306.html}} </ref> <ref> {{citenews | title = Pellet near heart could do more damage | org = USA Today | date = 14 February 2006 | url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-02-14-cheney-whittington_x.htm }}</ref>


===People present===
Hospital officials said Whittington was alert and stable <ref name="washington_post_15feb"> {{citenews | title = Victim Suffers Heart Ailment; Shotgun Pellet Cited as Cause | org = Washington Post | date = 15 February 2006 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/14/AR2006021400990.html}} </ref> and that he did not experience chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack. <ref name="houston_chronicle_15feb"/> Doctors reported signs of inflammation, and Whittington was treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. <ref> {{citenews | title = Birdshot likely to stay in man Cheney shot | org = MSNBC | date = 14 February 2006 | url = http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11354320/ }} </ref>
At the scene:
* [[Dick Cheney]] (shooter)<ref name="msnbc_interview" />
* [[Harry Whittington]] (victim)
* [[Pamela Willeford|Pamela Pitzer Willeford]] (eyewitness)
* Oscar Medellin (outrider, between Cheney and Willeford, flushed the bird)
* "[[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] personnel" were reported to be with the two shooters and Oscar Medellin


In a car at an unstated distance away from the shooting:
Whittington was subsequently discharged from the hospital on [[February 17]], 2006. He gave a brief statement expressing remourse and concern for Cheney: "My family and I are deeply sorry for everything Vice President Cheney and his family have had to deal with," he said. "We hope that he will continue to come to Texas and seek the relaxation that he deserves."
* Katherine Armstrong, owner of the ranch
* Sarita Storey Armstrong Hixon, Armstrong's sister


===Texas Parks and Wildlife Department report===
==Information release==
On February{{nbs}}13, 2006, the [[Texas Parks and Wildlife Department]] (an agency once headed by Armstrong)<ref>{{cite news | publisher = The Mercury News | title = Cheney says he was responsible in hunter's shooting |date=February 15, 2006 |url = http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/13881466.htm}}</ref> issued an incident report. According to the report, Cheney "was swinging on game" (i.e. turning to track it with his shotgun).<ref name="Urbina 2006" /> The summary of the incident given was:


{{quote|Whittington downed a bird and went to retrieve it. While he was out of the hunting line, another covey was flushed and Cheney swung on a bird and fired, striking Whittington in the face, neck, and chest.<ref name="smokinggun_incident_report"/>}}
Though the shooting occurred on Saturday, [[February 11]], news of it was not released until after 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, [[February 12]]. Kathryn Garcia, a reporter for the ''[[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]] [[Corpus Christi Caller-Times|Caller-Times]]'', broke the story at 1:48 p.m. after receiving an 11 a.m. call from [[Katharine Armstrong]], the owner of the ranch where the shooting occurred. <ref> {{citenews | org = Editor and Publisher Magazine | title = Troubling Questions About Cheney's Boss | date = 14 February 2006| url = http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/columns/pressingissues_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001998206}} </ref> Armstrong had notified Cheney earlier in the morning that she was going to inform the news media about the incident. She said Cheney agreed. <ref name="forbes_13feb"> {{citenews | title = Cheney Violates Cardinal Rule of Hunting | org = Forbes | url = http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/02/13/ap2522966.html | date = 13 February 2006 }} </ref> Armstrong said that Whittington did not announce his location, and this led to the incident. <ref name="houston_chronicle_15feb"/>


The report cited clear and sunny weather at the time of the shooting.
President Bush was told about the shooting accident about two and a half hours after it occurred at 8 p.m. Saturday. The White House did not disclose the accident until a press conference on Sunday afternoon. White House Press secretary [[Scott McClellan]] said he did not know that Cheney had shot someone until that Sunday morning. He remarked that he did ask the Vice President's office to release the information earlier. He said: ''"I think you can always look back at these issues and look at how to do a better job."'' <ref name="forbes_13feb"/>


==Whittington's injuries==
On [[February 15]], Cheney agreed to comment publicly about the accident on the [[Fox News Channel]]. He had previously avoided reporters by leaving an Oval Office meeting with [[United Nations Secretary-General]] [[Kofi Annan]].<ref name="forbes_13feb"/> Cheney visited Whittington in the hospital on Sunday, [[February 13]], and at other times, telephoned him.
Whittington was injured in the face, neck, and upper torso. Whittington was reported to be in stable condition at [[Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital]] and had been moved from intensive care to a "step-down unit" on Monday. Doctors decided to leave about 30 birdshot pellets lodged in his body rather than try to remove them.<ref name=Wapo_Prime2010 /> Each pellet was less than {{cvt|2.5|mm|in}} in diameter.


On February{{nbs}}14, 2006, at 6:30{{nbs}}a.m., Whittington suffered a minor [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] and [[atrial fibrillation]] due to the shot pellets lodged in or near his heart,<ref name="Seattlepi_14Feb"/> as well as a collapsed lung.<ref name="Wapo_Prime2010"/> He was immediately moved back to the intensive care unit. At about 9 a.m., Whittington underwent a [[cardiac catheterization]] test to detect blocked or leaky arteries. From the test, doctors found a single lead pellet.<ref name="houston_chronicle_15feb">{{cite news | title = Man shot by Cheney has complications |publisher = Houston Chronicle |date=February 15, 2006 | url = http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3660306.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Pellet near heart could do more damage | newspaper = USA Today |date=February 14, 2006 | url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-02-14-cheney-whittington_x.htm | first1=Steve | last1=Sternberg | access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref>
On the Fox News interview, Cheney accepted full responsibility for the accident.


Hospital officials said Whittington was alert and stable<ref name="washington_post_15feb">{{cite news | title = Victim Suffers Heart Ailment; Shotgun Pellet Cited as Cause | newspaper = Washington Post |date=February 15, 2006 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/02/15/victim-suffers-heart-ailment/b5e1d702-6ec6-4a49-8cda-062296375393/|access-date=July 24, 2018|url-access=limited}}</ref> and that he did not experience chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack.<ref name="houston_chronicle_15feb"/> Doctors reported signs of inflammation, and Whittington was treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.<ref>{{cite news | title = Birdshot likely to stay in man Cheney shot | work = NBC News |date=February 14, 2006 | url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11354320 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160114210956/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11354320/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 14, 2016 }}</ref>
Cheney acknowledged that White House Counselor [[Dan Bartlett]] and [[Scott McClellan]] "urged us to get the story out", but Cheney said he was more concerned about accuracy and felt that Armstrong was the best person to make the announcement. <ref>{{citenews | org = Time (magazine) | title = Cheney Speaks: The VP Responds to Critics | date = 15 February 2006 | url = http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1159864,00.html }}</ref>


Whittington was subsequently discharged from the hospital on February{{nbs}}17, 2006. At a press conference, he said: "My family and I are deeply sorry for everything Vice President Cheney and his family have had to deal with. We hope that he will continue to come to Texas and seek the relaxation that he deserves."<ref name=hospital/>
==Investigation==


In a 2010 interview with ''The Washington Post'', when asked if Cheney had apologized, Whittington declined to answer.<ref name="Wapo_Prime2010" />
Multiple news sources reported that local law enforcement officers were initially barred by [[United States Secret Service]] agents from interviewing Cheney. <ref> {{citenews | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/13/national/main1309344.shtml | title = Questions Persist Over Cheney Shooting | org = CBS News| date = 13 February 2006 }} </ref> [http://mediamatters.org/items/200602150014] Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren said that about an hour after Whittington was shot, the head of the Secret Service's local office called the Kenedy County sheriff to report the accident. Upon the sheriff's request, arrangements were made for deputies to interview Cheney the following morning (Sunday) at 8 a.m. However on Saturday evening, one deputy, a Captain Charles Kirk, according to the Sheriff's Report, showed up at the ranch's front gate and asked to speak to Cheney but was turned away by the Secret Service. Zahren said this was due to some miscommunication. <ref name="forbes_13feb"/> The news of the shooting wasn't released to the press for 21 hours until 1:48 p.m. (07:48) Sunday, [[February 12]]. Kathryn Garcia, a reporter for the [[Corpus Christi Caller-Times|Corpus Christi Caller-Times]], broke the story after receiving a call from Armstrong at 11am, after confirming it with the White House and hospital.


==Information release==
On Sunday morning, Kenedy County Chief Deputy Gilbert San Miguel Jr. interviewed Cheney and other members of the hunting party. He said that Cheney characterized the incident as a "hunting accident". A Kenedy County sheriff's deputy also interviewed Whittington the next morning. <ref name="washington_post_15feb"/> The sheriffs report states that the interview was terminated by hospital staff before Whittington was able to recount the details of the shooting.
Though the shooting occurred on Saturday, February{{nbs}}11, news of it was not released until after 2:00{{nbs}}p.m. ([[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Standard Time]]) on Sunday, February{{nbs}}12. Kathryn Garcia, a reporter for the ''[[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]] [[Corpus Christi Caller-Times|Caller-Times]]'', broke the story at 1:48{{nbs}}p.m. after receiving an 11:00{{nbs}}a.m. call from Katherine Armstrong, the owner of the ranch where the shooting occurred. Armstrong had notified Cheney earlier in the morning that she would inform the news media about the incident. She said Cheney agreed.<ref name="forbes_13feb">{{cite news|title=Cheney Violates Cardinal Rule of Hunting |publisher=Arizona Daily Sun |url=http://azdailysun.com/cheney-violates-cardinal-rule-of-hunting/article_6623ac32-6215-59ad-99ab-d91c4a552932.html |date=February 13, 2006|access-date=July 7, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707143814/http://azdailysun.com/cheney-violates-cardinal-rule-of-hunting/article_6623ac32-6215-59ad-99ab-d91c4a552932.html|archive-date=July 7, 2016}}</ref> Armstrong said that Whittington did not announce his location, and this led to the incident.<ref name="houston_chronicle_15feb"/>


According to White House Press secretary [[Scott McClellan]], news at the White House about the shooting "...{{nbsp}}was coming in to people back here, all the way at 3:00{{nbs}}a.m. [Sunday] and beyond."<ref>{{cite web |publisher=The White House |title=Press Briefing by Scott McClellan |date=February 13, 2006 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/02/20060213-4.html#b }}</ref> McClellan would not state when the President first learned that Cheney had shot Whittington. When McClellan was asked if Andy Card had told Karl Rove that Cheney was the shooter, McClellan said: "...{{nbsp}}we still didn't have all the details at that point and additional details were coming into Andy Card at even three [...] in the morning and beyond."
The [[Kenedy County, Texas|Kenedy County]] Sheriff, Ramon Salinas III, has since cleared Cheney of any criminal wrongdoing in the matter <ref name="smokinggun_incident_report"> [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0213061cheney3.html Kenedy Country Sheriff's Office Press Release], posted in [[The Smoking Gun]]. </ref>


The White House did not disclose the accident until a press conference on Sunday afternoon. McClellan said he did not know Cheney had shot someone until that Sunday morning. He remarked that he did ask the Vice President's office to release the information earlier. He said: "I think you can always look back at these issues and look at how to do a better job."<ref name="forbes_13feb"/>
Bush appointed Katharine Armstrong a commission member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. [http://www.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2006/02/15/cheney/] Steve Hall, education director for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said that the department would classify the shooting as an error in judgment by Cheney.


On February{{nbs}}15, Cheney agreed to comment publicly about the accident on the [[Fox News Channel]]. He had previously avoided reporters by leaving an Oval Office meeting with [[United Nations Secretary-General]] [[Kofi Annan]].<ref name="forbes_13feb" /> Cheney visited Whittington in the hospital on Monday, February{{nbs}}13, and at other times, telephoned him.
While he has a Texas non-resident hunting license, a report from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department states that Cheney was in violation of Texas law in that he did not have a US $7 "upland game bird stamp."<ref name="smokinggun_incident_report"/>
A warning citation, which state officials described as routine and carries no fine or penalty, will be issued to Cheney, because the requirement is new. Cheney has since sent a $7 check to the Texas Fish and Wildlife Department to cover the cost of the missing stamp. <ref> [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/02/20060213-10.html Statement by the Office of the Vice President] 13 February 2006. </ref>


In the Fox News interview, Cheney accepted full responsibility for the accident.
A top Republican close to the [[White House]] said to Time magazine, "This is either a [[cover-up]] story or an incompetence story." [http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1159347,00.html]


Cheney acknowledged that White House Counselor [[Dan Bartlett]] and [[Scott McClellan]] "urged us to get the story out". Cheney said he was more concerned about accuracy and felt that Armstrong was the best person to make the announcement.<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | title = Cheney Speaks: The VP Responds to Critics |date=February 15, 2006 | url = http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1159864,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060221055236/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0%2C8599%2C1159864%2C00.html | archive-date = February 21, 2006 }}</ref>
[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060218/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cheney_fact_check AP: Cheney accident tale 'filled with discrepancies']


==Hunting safety==
==Investigations==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2022}}
In an [[Associated Press]] report, hunting safety experts said that it is the shooter's responsibility to assess the surroundings and situation to ensure that it is safe to shoot. <ref name="forbes_13feb"/> The owner of the ranch, however, stated that Whittington should have announced the fact that he had yet to return from retrieving his quail to the Vice-President.


Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren said that about an hour after Whittington was shot, the head of the Secret Service's local office called the Kenedy County sheriff to report the accident.<ref name="cheney_cited"/> Kenedy County Sheriff Ramon Salinas III receiving a call of 'official' notice from the Secret Service 8–10 minutes after a Saturday, February{{nbs}}11, 5:30{{nbs}}p.m. phone call from Captain Charles Kirk.
According to Texas state Parks and Wildlife Department, in 2005 there were 30 accidents and two hunting deaths in Texas. At the national level, according to the [[International Hunter Education Association]], there were 744 shooting accidents with 74 deaths in 2002. <ref name="forbes_13feb"/>


Kirk had called Salinas en route to the Armstrong Ranch to investigate a possible hunting accident. The ensuing official investigation was performed by the Kenedy County Sheriff's department and published in an Incident Report written by Chief Deputy Gilberto San Miguel Jr, a Supplement Report written by Salinas, and several witness statements.
==Speculation/Rumors==


After Salinas finished his call with the Secret Service, Kirk called Salinas again to report that he couldn't get any information about the shooting at the Armstrong gate. Salinas told Kirk: "that it was fine and I [Salinas] would contact someone at the Ranch". Multiple news sources reported that local law enforcement officers were initially barred by [[United States Secret Service]] agents from interviewing Cheney.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/questions-persist-over-cheney-shooting/ | title = Questions Persist Over Cheney Shooting | work = CBS News|date=February 13, 2006 }}</ref><ref>''Washington Post'': [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021300452_pf.html White House Deferred to Cheney on Shooting]. February 14, 2006.</ref>
*Recreations of the incident were enacted by George Gongora, a photographer for the [[Corpus Christi Caller-Times]], and by [[Alex Jones (journalist)|Alex Jones]], a journalist best known for creating anti-establishment [[conspiracy theory]] writings and documentaries [http://www.caller2.com/specials/2006/cheney/index.html#] [http://infowars.com/video/clips/ballistics_test/qt_mdm_universe.htm]. Both tests produced results inconsistent with the official reports. Some familiar with quail hunting have also argued that the range was much closer than reported [http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_045223206.html], while others, such as forensic expert Jon Nordby, confirm the plausibility of the official reports. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1161178,00.html?cnn=yes]


After dismissing Kirk, Salinas called Constable Ramiro Medellin Jr to ask for information about the accident. None of the police reports say why Salinas thought to call Medellin or where Salinas thought Medellin was. In that first call to Medellin, Salinas reports Medellin saying only he would call Salinas back. Medellin called Salinas back and said that "This is in fact a hunting accident" and that he [Medellin] had spoken with some of the people in the hunting party who were eyewitnesses and that they all said that it was definitely a hunting accident. Salinas says he [Salinas] also spoke with another [unnamed] eyewitness and he[the witness] said the same thing, that it was an accident. Salinas states in his report: "After hearing the same information from eyewitness and Constable Medellin, it was at this time I decided to send my Chief Deputy first thing Sunday morning to interview the Vice-President and other witnesses."
*A [[Sirius radio]] host, Alex Bennett, promulgated a rumor that the delay in reporting was to hide a possible extramarital affair with U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland [[Pamela Willeford|Pamela Pitzer Willeford]] [http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20060215/cm_huffpost/015705;_ylt=A86.I0S.SvNDIhEA1g39wxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--]


On Sunday morning, Kenedy County Chief Deputy Gilbert San Miguel Jr. interviewed Cheney and other members of the hunting party. He said that Cheney characterized the incident as a "hunting accident".
==Trivia==
*Dick Cheney is the first known sitting U.S. Vice President to shoot someone since [[Aaron Burr]] shot [[Alexander Hamilton]] in the famous [[Hamilton-Burr duel]] (although the duel was obviously intentional, whereas the motivation and cause of this incident was not); in both incidents the person shot was a prominent attorney.


On Monday, Miguel and Lt. Juan J Guzman went to Spohn Memorial Hospital to interview Whittington. Whittington requested not to be recorded 'due to his voice being raspy' but agreed to supply a written affidavit as soon as he returned home to his office. Whittington characterized the incident as an accident and said no alcohol was involved and that everyone was wearing proper hunting attire. Whittington described shooting at the first covey of quails, searching for a bird, then being sent by Katharine [Armstrong] to shoot the second covey. At that point, "a nurse came into the room and asked Guzman and Salinas to hurry up so Whitington could rest". The officers then left, telling Whittington, "I [Miguel] would give him a call in a few days to get the written affidavit". There is no public record of the promised affidavit being taken or released.
*The shotgun that Cheney used while hunting is the same model that Sen. [[John Kerry]] was teased about using during the 2004 presidential campaign, as it is a lightweight model favored by women.


The [[Kenedy County, Texas|Kenedy County]] Sheriff, Ramon Salinas III, has since cleared Cheney of any criminal wrongdoing.
==Commentary and satire ==


Bush appointed Katharine Armstrong, a commission member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.<ref>{{cite news |work=Salon.com |title=Shoot first, avoid questions later |date=February 15, 2006 |url=http://www.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2006/02/15/cheney/index_np.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515205213/http://www.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2006/02/15/cheney/index_np.html |archive-date=May 15, 2006 }}</ref> Steve Hall, education director for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said that the department would classify the shooting as an error in judgment by Cheney.
The incident has been the subject of jokes, satire and public ridicule. <ref name="washington_post_unload"> {{citenews | title = After Cheney's Shooting Incident, Time to Unload | org = Washington Post | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021301303_pf.html | date = 14 February 2006}} </ref> <ref> [http://www.liberalavenger.com/2006/02/14/cheney-jokes/ Cheney jokes] URL accessed on 14 February 2006 </ref> A number of these made reference to other controversies involving Cheney.


The news of the shooting was not released to the press for 21 hours until 1:48{{nbs}}p.m. (07:48) Sunday, February{{nbs}}12. Kathryn Garcia, a reporter for the [[Corpus Christi Caller-Times|Corpus Christi ''Caller-Times'']], broke the story after receiving a call from Armstrong at 11:00{{nbs}}a.m., after confirming it with the White House and hospital.
*On [[February 13]], [[The Daily Show]] unloaded with an extended segment, first by Jon Stewart, then an "on-site" piece by Ed Helms, then with "analysis" by Rob Corddry. One of the placards proclaimed "Cheney's Got a Gun" in parody of [[Aerosmith]]'s song "[[Janie's Got a Gun]]." [[Jon Stewart]] urged viewers not to let their children go on hunting trips with the vice president: "I can't emphasize this enough, I don't care what kind of lucrative contracts they're trying to land, or energy regulation they're trying to get lifted. . . . He'll shoot them in the face." <ref name="washington_post_unload"/>


A top Republican close to the [[White House]] said to ''Time'' magazine, "This is either a [[cover-up]] story or an incompetence story."<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine = Time | title = Slow Leak: How Cheney Stalled News Reports of Hunting Accident |date=February 13, 2006 |url = http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1159347,00.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060221075936/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0%2C8599%2C1159347%2C00.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = February 21, 2006}}</ref>
*Rob Corddry's monologue parodied administration attacks on critics of the warrentless wiretap program with the memorable line, "Look, the mere fact that we're even talking about how the vice president drives up with his rich friends in cars to shoot farm-raised wingless quailtards is letting the quail know 'how' we're hunting them." Quailtard, a neologistic [[portmanteau]] of "[[quail]]", and "retard", has enjoyed some popular reuse.[http://www.boingboing.net/2006/02/17/new_word_quailtard.html]


==Controversial points==
*[[David Letterman]] began his Monday show on February 13 with "Good news, ladies and gentlemen, we have finally located weapons of mass destruction. ... It's Dick Cheney," and adding that "We can't get bin Laden, but we nailed a 78-year-old attorney."<ref name="sacbee_14feb">
Questions have been raised regarding the shooting, even as Kenedy County Sheriff's Office documents support the official story by Cheney and his party.<ref>{{cite news | work = NBC News | title = Documents support Cheney's shooting account |date=February 22, 2006 |url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11509948|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160114210956/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11509948/|url-status = dead|archive-date = January 14, 2016}}</ref>
{{citenews | title = Cheney in comics' sights after shooting accident
| org = Sacramento Bee | date = 14 February 2006
| url = http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/story/14187669p-15014711c.html }}
</ref>In his Top 10 list was devoted to "Dick Cheney's excuses" and include "he thought the guy was trying to [[Brokeback Mountain|go gay cowboy]] on me", "Made a bet with [[Janet Jones|Gretzky’s wife]]". The next day, the top of the list for "Things You Don't Want To Hear On Valentine's Day" was "Damn. I thought you were a quail". On [[February 15]], [[Olympics]] Gold Medalist [[Chad Hedrick]] mentioned the #1 good thing about winning a Gold Medal is "it deflects stray gunshots from Dick Cheney." <ref name="cbslet_13feb">
{{citenews | title = David Letterman's Top 10 - Archive 2006
| org = CBS | date = 13 February 2006
| url = http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/top_ten/archive/ls_topten_archive2006/ls_topten_archive_20060213.shtml
}}
</ref>


Re-creations of the incident were enacted by George Gongora and John Metz, a photographer and producer respectively for the Corpus Christi ''Caller-Times''.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Corpus Christi Caller-Times |title=Avid shooter simulates the accident, its injuries |date=February 14, 2006 |url=http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_4465590,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810103825/http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_4465590,00.html |archive-date=August 10, 2006 }}</ref> Also a hunter re-created it according to the [[Whidbey News-Times|Whidbey ''News-Times'']]. All tests proved that the distance was much closer than the {{convert|90|ft|m|0}} claimed. Local quail hunters have also argued that the range was closer,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=CBS 2 Chicago |title=Local Quail Hunter Weighs In On Cheney Accident |date=February 14, 2006 |url=http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_045223206.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060223030553/http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_045223206.html |archive-date=February 23, 2006 }}</ref> while others, such as forensic expert Jon Nordby, confirm the plausibility of the official reports.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Time |title=Inside the Shooting at the Ranch |date=February 27, 2006 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1161217-1,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912050802/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1161217-1,00.html |archive-date=September 12, 2012 }}</ref>
*Before the news on Whittington's heart attack became known on 14 February, [[White House Press Secretary]] [[Scott McClellan]] was referring to President Bush's meeting with the University of Texas championship football team when he said "The orange that they're wearing is not because they're concerned that the vice president may be there." However he pointed to his own orange-striped tie and added that "Although that's why I'm wearing it." <ref name="los_angeles_15feb"> {{citenews | title = Hunter Suffers Setback as Criticism of Cheney Grows | org = Los Angeles Times | date = 15 February 2006 | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-cheney15feb15,0,1327162.story?coll=la-home-nation }} </ref> <ref> {{citenews | org = Washington Post | title = Orange Morning Gives Way to a Darker Afternoon | date = 15 February 2006 |url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/14/AR2006021400869.html }} </ref>


The time of the shooting was estimated by Cheney and the other members of the hunting party to be variously between 5:30{{nbs}}p.m. and 6:00{{nbs}}p.m.<ref name="msnbc_interview"/> In the Kenedy County Sheriff's Report, Officer Ramone Salinas III states that he first heard the news of the shooting from a Captain Charles Kirk at about 5:30{{nbs}}p.m.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} Kirk had heard of the shooting prior to that phone call. In Salinas's statement, Salinas says he received official notice from the Secret Service {{nowrap|8{{hsp}}{{ndash}}{{hsp}}}}10{{nbs}}minutes after the 5:30{{nbs}}p.m. phone call. The Secret Service is reported to have said that they gave notice to the Sheriff about one hour after the shooting, which would put the time of the shooting at approximately 4:40{{nbs}}p.m., {{nowrap|50{{hsp}}{{ndash}}{{hsp}}}}80{{nbs}}minutes before the entire hunting party's recollection.
*United States Senator [[Patrick J. Leahy]] (D-Vt.), who was once the target of Cheney's obscenity on the floor of the Senate, said: "In retrospect, it looks like I got off easy." <ref name="los_angeles_15feb"/>


==Legacy==
*[[CafePress.com]], an online retailer, is taking advantage of the opportunity by selling doggie T-shirts, badges and other items with slogans such as "Deadeye Dick's Gun Club", "Duck, its Dick!" and "I'd rather hunt with Dick Cheney than ride with Ted Kennedy." <ref name="sacbee_14feb"/>
For years afterward, [[editorial cartoon]]s and [[comedian]]s continued to crack jokes about the incident.<ref name="Washington_post_unload">{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021301303_pf.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119130412/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021301303_pf.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2019|title=After Cheney's Shooting Incident, Time to Unload|last=Leibovich|first=Mark|date=February 14, 2006|access-date=July 7, 2016|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="sacbee_14feb">
{{cite news | title = Cheney in comics' sights after shooting accident
| publisher = Sacramento Bee |date=February 14, 2006
| url = http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/story/14187669p-15014711c.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060226013642/http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/story/14187669p-15014711c.html|archive-date=February 26, 2006}}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/7/13/884096/-Animal-NUZ:-A-Daily-Kos-Exclusive-Comic-Strip-#2 Animal Nuz cartoon on Daily Kos of July 13, 2010]. Accessed July 13, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/10/obama.correspondents.dinner.jokes/#cnnSTCVideo Obama doesn't spare himself in comedy turn] CNN. May 10, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5172794.stm|title=Putin rebuffs 'colonialist' West|work=[[BBC News]]|date=July 12, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Even elected officials can't avoid laugh at hunting mishap | publisher = MSNBC |date=February 14, 2006 | url = http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11345105/from/RL.4/ }}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | newspaper = Washington Post | title = Orange Morning Gives Way to a Darker Afternoon |date=February 15, 2006 |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/14/AR2006021400869.html | first=Dana | last=Milbank | access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Democrats note Cheney incident on their calendar | publisher = Corpus Christi Caller-Times | date = February 4, 2007 | url = http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_5328305,00.html | access-date = February 9, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070208000904/http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0%2C1641%2CCCCT_811_5328305%2C00.html | archive-date = February 8, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>


Cheney was criticized for his handling of the matter.<ref name="los_angeles_15feb">{{cite news|title=Hunter Suffers Setback as Criticism of Cheney Grows |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 15, 2006 |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/15/nation/na-cheney15/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201050543/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/15/nation/na-cheney15|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2008|access-date=July 7, 2016}}</ref> According to polls on February{{nbs}}27, 2006, two weeks after the accident, his approval rating had dropped 5 percentage points to 18%.<ref>{{cite news |title=Poll: Bush Ratings At All-Time Low |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-bush-ratings-at-all-time-low/ |work=CBS News |date=February 27, 2006 |access-date=October 23, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060302075318/https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/27/opinion/polls/main1350874.shtml |archive-date=March 2, 2006}}</ref>
*Radio host [[Tom Joyner]] created a ''Cheney's Valentine's Day poem'': "Roses are red, Violets are blue, Say something I don't like, And I'll shoot you, too." <ref>
{{citenews | title = Col. Jessep Goes A-Hunting | org = Washington Post | date = 14 February 2006 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021301572.html }} </ref>


Whittington died of complications from a fall on February 4, 2023, at the age of 95.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Douglas |date=February 7, 2023 |title=Harry Whittington, Texas Lawyer Shot by Cheney, Dies at 95 |volume=172 |page=A20 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issue=59692 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/05/us/politics/harry-whittington-dead.html |url-access=limited |access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref>
*Florida Governor [[Jeb Bush]] said when he received a bright orange Farm Bureau sticker: "I'm a little concerned that Dick Cheney is going to walk in." <ref> {{citenews | title = Even elected officials can't avoid laugh at hunting mishap | org = MSNBC | date = 14 February 2006 | url = http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11345105/from/RL.4/ }} </ref>


==See also==
*[[Microsoft]] Chairman [[Bill Gates]] began his speech at a computer security conference in [[San Jose, California]] saying "I’m really glad to be here. My other invitation was to go quail hunting with Dick Cheney." <ref> {{citenews | title = Cheney incident becomes cultural touchstone | org = MSNBC | date = 15 February 2006 | url = http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11373296/ }} </ref>
* [[Burr–Hamilton duel]]
* [[Hunting license]]


==References==
*Cheney has also been the target of satire from many, many web-based satirists [http://www.needlenose.com/node/view/2634?PHPSESSID=0feb402f360d0f201807ca829400088b]. New News Network revealed that Cheney will now go gunning for other "friends" who "owe him money" [http://trrnnn.blogspot.com/2006/02/cheney-warns-of-more-shooting-to-come.html].
{{Reflist}}

*A few in the media have began analyzing the possible permutations. [[Maureen Dowd]] of the [[New York Times]] wrote in her op-ed [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/oped/columnists/maureendowd/] piece that in the unfortunate event of Mr. Whittington not being able to survive, his death could trigger a more thorough police investigation and possibly a grand jury. In such an event Cheney could resign paving the way for [[Condoleezza Rice]] to step in as vice-president [http://usliberals.about.com/b/a/244107.htm].

==See also==
*[[Hamilton-Burr duel]]


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0222061cheney1.html Witness Statements]
*[http://hammernews.com/cheneyhunt-sheriffreport.pdf Sheriff's Report]- 2/15/06
*[http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11373634/ Transcript of Cheney interview, 2/15/06]
*[http://www.cnn.com/2006/images/02/14/CheneyAccidentReport.ap.pdf Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunting Accident and Incident Report Form]

==References==
<references/>


{{Dick Cheney}}
[[Category:George W. Bush administration scandals]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheney, Dick hunting incident}}
[[Category:Hunting]]
[[Category:Political history of the United States]]
[[Category:2006 controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:2006 in American politics]]
[[Category:Dick Cheney|Hunting incident]]
[[Category:February 2006 events in the United States]]
[[Category:George W. Bush administration controversies]]
[[Category:Hunting in the United States]]
[[Category:Kenedy County, Texas]]
[[Category:Non-fatal shootings]]
[[Category:2006 in Texas]]
[[Category:Political controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:Accidents in North America]]

Latest revision as of 18:59, 26 November 2024

Shooting of Harry Whittington
LocationRiviera, Texas, U.S.
DateFebruary 11, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-02-11)
Attack type
Accidental shooting
Weapon28-gauge Perazzi shotgun
VictimHarry Whittington (survived)
PerpetratorDick Cheney

On February 11, 2006, then-United States vice president Dick Cheney shot Harry Whittington, a then-78-year-old Texas attorney, with a 28-gauge Perazzi shotgun[1][2] while participating in a quail hunt on a ranch in Riviera, Texas.[3] Both Cheney and Whittington called the event an accident.

The incident was reported to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times on February 12, 2006, by ranch owner Katherine Armstrong.[4] The Bush administration disclosed the shooting incident to the public the afternoon of February 12. Local authorities released a report on the shooting on February 16, 2006, and witness statements on February 22.

On February 14, 2006, Whittington suffered a non-fatal heart attack and atrial fibrillation due to at least one lead shot lodged in or near his heart.[5] He also had a collapsed lung. Cheney did not speak publicly about the incident until February 15 in an interview with Fox News. Early reports indicated that Cheney and Whittington were friends and that the injuries were minor. Whittington later clarified that he and Cheney were not close friends but acquaintances.[6]

Shooting incident

[edit]
Dick Cheney

Day of shooting

[edit]

The shooting was widely reported to have taken place on Saturday, February 11, 2006, based on the public statements of Katherine Armstrong, owner of the 50,000-acre (200 km2) Armstrong Ranch. However, in her statement to the Sheriff, she said the shooting happened on February 12. Harry Whittington said shortly after the incident, "Accidents do and will happenand that's what happened last Friday (February 10)."[7]

Time of shooting

[edit]

Mary Matalin stated on Meet the Press that "Somebody had talked to some ranch hand".[8] Neither the Sheriff's report nor witness statements identify who this first reporter was.

The Secret Service said that they gave notice to the Sheriff about one hour after the shooting.[9] Kenedy County Sheriff Ramone Salinas III states he first heard of the shooting at about 5:30 p.m. from Captain Charles Kirk, and Salinas implies that he received 'official' notice from the Secret Service at about 5:40 p.m.

The time of the shooting was not stated by Cheney.[10]

The events

[edit]

Cheney had a televised interview about the shooting on February 15.[10] On February 22, the Sheriff's office released statements from Katherine Armstrong, Sarita Hixon, Pamela Pitzer Willeford, Oscar Medellin, Gerardo Medellin, and Andrew Hubert.

Cheney's statement and those of all six other hunting party members specify that Cheney, Whittington, and Willeford had shot at a covey of birds. While Whittington was searching for a downed bird, Cheney, Willeford, and a guide walked towards another covey about 100 yards (91 m) away. Whittington approached within 30 or 40 yards (27 or 37 m) of the shooters, at which point a single bird flew up, around, and behind Cheney in the direction of Whittington. Cheney shot at the bird and hit Whittington.

Armstrong, the ranch owner, claimed that all in the hunting party were wearing blaze-orange safety gear and none had been drinking,[11] and that at lunch they drank beer,[12] which is slightly contradictory to her later statement that "there may (have been) a beer or two in [the lunch coolers], but remember not everyone in the party was shooting."[13] Cheney has acknowledged that he had one beer four or five hours prior to the shooting. Armstrong said she never saw Cheney or Whittington drink until later at the house, where Cheney had a few cocktails.[14] Armstrong did not actually see the incident happen, believing that the reason Cheney's security detail was running was that Cheney had a heart problem,[13] but Cheney described her as an eyewitness in his Fox interview.[10]

Secret Service agents and medical aides, who were traveling with Cheney, came to Whittington's assistance and treated his birdshot wounds to his right cheek, neck, and chest. An ambulance standing nearby for the Vice President took Whittington to close by Kingsville before he was flown by helicopter to Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi.

People present

[edit]

At the scene:

In a car at an unstated distance away from the shooting:

  • Katherine Armstrong, owner of the ranch
  • Sarita Storey Armstrong Hixon, Armstrong's sister

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department report

[edit]

On February 13, 2006, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (an agency once headed by Armstrong)[15] issued an incident report. According to the report, Cheney "was swinging on game" (i.e. turning to track it with his shotgun).[2] The summary of the incident given was:

Whittington downed a bird and went to retrieve it. While he was out of the hunting line, another covey was flushed and Cheney swung on a bird and fired, striking Whittington in the face, neck, and chest.[4]

The report cited clear and sunny weather at the time of the shooting.

Whittington's injuries

[edit]

Whittington was injured in the face, neck, and upper torso. Whittington was reported to be in stable condition at Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital and had been moved from intensive care to a "step-down unit" on Monday. Doctors decided to leave about 30 birdshot pellets lodged in his body rather than try to remove them.[6] Each pellet was less than 2.5 mm (0.098 in) in diameter.

On February 14, 2006, at 6:30 a.m., Whittington suffered a minor heart attack and atrial fibrillation due to the shot pellets lodged in or near his heart,[5] as well as a collapsed lung.[6] He was immediately moved back to the intensive care unit. At about 9 a.m., Whittington underwent a cardiac catheterization test to detect blocked or leaky arteries. From the test, doctors found a single lead pellet.[16][17]

Hospital officials said Whittington was alert and stable[18] and that he did not experience chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack.[16] Doctors reported signs of inflammation, and Whittington was treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.[19]

Whittington was subsequently discharged from the hospital on February 17, 2006. At a press conference, he said: "My family and I are deeply sorry for everything Vice President Cheney and his family have had to deal with. We hope that he will continue to come to Texas and seek the relaxation that he deserves."[7]

In a 2010 interview with The Washington Post, when asked if Cheney had apologized, Whittington declined to answer.[6]

Information release

[edit]

Though the shooting occurred on Saturday, February 11, news of it was not released until after 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on Sunday, February 12. Kathryn Garcia, a reporter for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, broke the story at 1:48 p.m. after receiving an 11:00 a.m. call from Katherine Armstrong, the owner of the ranch where the shooting occurred. Armstrong had notified Cheney earlier in the morning that she would inform the news media about the incident. She said Cheney agreed.[20] Armstrong said that Whittington did not announce his location, and this led to the incident.[16]

According to White House Press secretary Scott McClellan, news at the White House about the shooting "... was coming in to people back here, all the way at 3:00 a.m. [Sunday] and beyond."[21] McClellan would not state when the President first learned that Cheney had shot Whittington. When McClellan was asked if Andy Card had told Karl Rove that Cheney was the shooter, McClellan said: "... we still didn't have all the details at that point and additional details were coming into Andy Card at even three [...] in the morning and beyond."

The White House did not disclose the accident until a press conference on Sunday afternoon. McClellan said he did not know Cheney had shot someone until that Sunday morning. He remarked that he did ask the Vice President's office to release the information earlier. He said: "I think you can always look back at these issues and look at how to do a better job."[20]

On February 15, Cheney agreed to comment publicly about the accident on the Fox News Channel. He had previously avoided reporters by leaving an Oval Office meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.[20] Cheney visited Whittington in the hospital on Monday, February 13, and at other times, telephoned him.

In the Fox News interview, Cheney accepted full responsibility for the accident.

Cheney acknowledged that White House Counselor Dan Bartlett and Scott McClellan "urged us to get the story out". Cheney said he was more concerned about accuracy and felt that Armstrong was the best person to make the announcement.[22]

Investigations

[edit]

Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren said that about an hour after Whittington was shot, the head of the Secret Service's local office called the Kenedy County sheriff to report the accident.[9] Kenedy County Sheriff Ramon Salinas III receiving a call of 'official' notice from the Secret Service 8–10 minutes after a Saturday, February 11, 5:30 p.m. phone call from Captain Charles Kirk.

Kirk had called Salinas en route to the Armstrong Ranch to investigate a possible hunting accident. The ensuing official investigation was performed by the Kenedy County Sheriff's department and published in an Incident Report written by Chief Deputy Gilberto San Miguel Jr, a Supplement Report written by Salinas, and several witness statements.

After Salinas finished his call with the Secret Service, Kirk called Salinas again to report that he couldn't get any information about the shooting at the Armstrong gate. Salinas told Kirk: "that it was fine and I [Salinas] would contact someone at the Ranch". Multiple news sources reported that local law enforcement officers were initially barred by United States Secret Service agents from interviewing Cheney.[23][24]

After dismissing Kirk, Salinas called Constable Ramiro Medellin Jr to ask for information about the accident. None of the police reports say why Salinas thought to call Medellin or where Salinas thought Medellin was. In that first call to Medellin, Salinas reports Medellin saying only he would call Salinas back. Medellin called Salinas back and said that "This is in fact a hunting accident" and that he [Medellin] had spoken with some of the people in the hunting party who were eyewitnesses and that they all said that it was definitely a hunting accident. Salinas says he [Salinas] also spoke with another [unnamed] eyewitness and he[the witness] said the same thing, that it was an accident. Salinas states in his report: "After hearing the same information from eyewitness and Constable Medellin, it was at this time I decided to send my Chief Deputy first thing Sunday morning to interview the Vice-President and other witnesses."

On Sunday morning, Kenedy County Chief Deputy Gilbert San Miguel Jr. interviewed Cheney and other members of the hunting party. He said that Cheney characterized the incident as a "hunting accident".

On Monday, Miguel and Lt. Juan J Guzman went to Spohn Memorial Hospital to interview Whittington. Whittington requested not to be recorded 'due to his voice being raspy' but agreed to supply a written affidavit as soon as he returned home to his office. Whittington characterized the incident as an accident and said no alcohol was involved and that everyone was wearing proper hunting attire. Whittington described shooting at the first covey of quails, searching for a bird, then being sent by Katharine [Armstrong] to shoot the second covey. At that point, "a nurse came into the room and asked Guzman and Salinas to hurry up so Whitington could rest". The officers then left, telling Whittington, "I [Miguel] would give him a call in a few days to get the written affidavit". There is no public record of the promised affidavit being taken or released.

The Kenedy County Sheriff, Ramon Salinas III, has since cleared Cheney of any criminal wrongdoing.

Bush appointed Katharine Armstrong, a commission member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.[25] Steve Hall, education director for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said that the department would classify the shooting as an error in judgment by Cheney.

The news of the shooting was not released to the press for 21 hours until 1:48 p.m. (07:48) Sunday, February 12. Kathryn Garcia, a reporter for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, broke the story after receiving a call from Armstrong at 11:00 a.m., after confirming it with the White House and hospital.

A top Republican close to the White House said to Time magazine, "This is either a cover-up story or an incompetence story."[26]

Controversial points

[edit]

Questions have been raised regarding the shooting, even as Kenedy County Sheriff's Office documents support the official story by Cheney and his party.[27]

Re-creations of the incident were enacted by George Gongora and John Metz, a photographer and producer respectively for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.[28] Also a hunter re-created it according to the Whidbey News-Times. All tests proved that the distance was much closer than the 90 feet (27 m) claimed. Local quail hunters have also argued that the range was closer,[29] while others, such as forensic expert Jon Nordby, confirm the plausibility of the official reports.[30]

The time of the shooting was estimated by Cheney and the other members of the hunting party to be variously between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.[10] In the Kenedy County Sheriff's Report, Officer Ramone Salinas III states that he first heard the news of the shooting from a Captain Charles Kirk at about 5:30 p.m.[citation needed] Kirk had heard of the shooting prior to that phone call. In Salinas's statement, Salinas says he received official notice from the Secret Service 8 – 10 minutes after the 5:30 p.m. phone call. The Secret Service is reported to have said that they gave notice to the Sheriff about one hour after the shooting, which would put the time of the shooting at approximately 4:40 p.m., 50 – 80 minutes before the entire hunting party's recollection.

Legacy

[edit]

For years afterward, editorial cartoons and comedians continued to crack jokes about the incident.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

Cheney was criticized for his handling of the matter.[39] According to polls on February 27, 2006, two weeks after the accident, his approval rating had dropped 5 percentage points to 18%.[40]

Whittington died of complications from a fall on February 4, 2023, at the age of 95.[41]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "See Dick. Run!". February 11, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Urbina, Ian (February 19, 2006). "What Dick Cheney Taught Us about Hunting Last Week". The New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  3. ^ "Texas Cops Release Cheney Shooting Report", The Smoking Gun
  4. ^ a b Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunting Accident and Incident Report Form, February 13, 2006, posted in The Smoking Gun. URL Accessed on February 14, 2006.
  5. ^ a b "Shotgun Victim Has Minor Heart Attack / Pellet Shot by Cheney Moves to Heart". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. February 15, 2006. Archived from the original on February 20, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d Farhi, Paul (October 14, 2010). "Since Dick Cheney shot him, Harry Whittington's aim has been to move on". The Washington Post.
  7. ^ a b "Harry Whittington's hospital statement". NBC. February 17, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  8. ^ "Meet the Press transcript". NBC News. February 19, 2006.
  9. ^ a b "Cheney Cited for Breaking Hunting Law". CBS News. February 14, 2006. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Transcript of Cheney interview". NBC News. February 15, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  11. ^ VandeHei, Jim; Moreno, Sylvia (February 14, 2006). "White House Deferred to Cheney on Shooting". Washington Post. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  12. ^ Bumiller, Elisabeth (February 15, 2006). "Fellow Hunter Shot by Cheney Suffers Setback". The New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Cheney's hunting host lobbied White House". NBC Investigative Unit via NBC News. February 15, 2006. Archived from the original on February 4, 2014.
  14. ^ "Cheney: 'One of the worst days of my life'". CNN. February 16, 2006.
  15. ^ "Cheney says he was responsible in hunter's shooting". The Mercury News. February 15, 2006.
  16. ^ a b c "Man shot by Cheney has complications". Houston Chronicle. February 15, 2006.
  17. ^ Sternberg, Steve (February 14, 2006). "Pellet near heart could do more damage". USA Today. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  18. ^ "Victim Suffers Heart Ailment; Shotgun Pellet Cited as Cause". Washington Post. February 15, 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  19. ^ "Birdshot likely to stay in man Cheney shot". NBC News. February 14, 2006. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016.
  20. ^ a b c "Cheney Violates Cardinal Rule of Hunting". Arizona Daily Sun. February 13, 2006. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  21. ^ "Press Briefing by Scott McClellan". The White House. February 13, 2006.
  22. ^ "Cheney Speaks: The VP Responds to Critics". Time. February 15, 2006. Archived from the original on February 21, 2006.
  23. ^ "Questions Persist Over Cheney Shooting". CBS News. February 13, 2006.
  24. ^ Washington Post: White House Deferred to Cheney on Shooting. February 14, 2006.
  25. ^ "Shoot first, avoid questions later". Salon.com. February 15, 2006. Archived from the original on May 15, 2006.
  26. ^ "Slow Leak: How Cheney Stalled News Reports of Hunting Accident". Time. February 13, 2006. Archived from the original on February 21, 2006.
  27. ^ "Documents support Cheney's shooting account". NBC News. February 22, 2006. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016.
  28. ^ "Avid shooter simulates the accident, its injuries". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. February 14, 2006. Archived from the original on August 10, 2006.
  29. ^ "Local Quail Hunter Weighs In On Cheney Accident". CBS 2 Chicago. February 14, 2006. Archived from the original on February 23, 2006.
  30. ^ "Inside the Shooting at the Ranch". Time. February 27, 2006. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012.
  31. ^ Leibovich, Mark (February 14, 2006). "After Cheney's Shooting Incident, Time to Unload". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  32. ^ "Cheney in comics' sights after shooting accident". Sacramento Bee. February 14, 2006. Archived from the original on February 26, 2006.
  33. ^ Animal Nuz cartoon on Daily Kos of July 13, 2010. Accessed July 13, 2010.
  34. ^ Obama doesn't spare himself in comedy turn CNN. May 10, 2009.
  35. ^ "Putin rebuffs 'colonialist' West". BBC News. July 12, 2006.
  36. ^ "Even elected officials can't avoid laugh at hunting mishap". MSNBC. February 14, 2006.[dead link]
  37. ^ Milbank, Dana (February 15, 2006). "Orange Morning Gives Way to a Darker Afternoon". Washington Post. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  38. ^ "Democrats note Cheney incident on their calendar". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. February 4, 2007. Archived from the original on February 8, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  39. ^ "Hunter Suffers Setback as Criticism of Cheney Grows". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 2006. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  40. ^ "Poll: Bush Ratings At All-Time Low". CBS News. February 27, 2006. Archived from the original on March 2, 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  41. ^ Martin, Douglas (February 7, 2023). "Harry Whittington, Texas Lawyer Shot by Cheney, Dies at 95". The New York Times. Vol. 172, no. 59692. p. A20. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
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