Man Accidentally Shot Himself While Being Attacked by a Bear

In a sad turn of events, a man shot himself by accident while he was being attacked by a bear in Alaska. Last weekend, a brown bear aggressed on 32-year-old Tyler Johnson, who was hunting with his dad near Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula. Alaska Wildlife Troopers were on scene responding to the incident when Johnson reportedly shot himself in the leg while attempting to shoot the bear.

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A dispatch from the Alaska Department of Public Safety initially broke the news.

“On August 17, 2024, at 3pm, Alaska Wildlife Troopers received a report that a hunting party was attacked by a bear near Cooper Landing, and they needed help,” the Alaska Department of Public Safety says. “One 32-year-old male was seriously injured by the bear and also as the result of a gunshot wound during attempts to stop the attack.”

Officials provided first aid. A helicopter airlifted the injured man to a hospital in Anchorage. The Alaska Department of Public Safety says the hunters ultimately killed the bear in their attempt to stop the attack.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated 8/22/24 as new information became available.