There has been a lot of speculation over the Holmes County Amish shooting.  Many have wondered about the lack of a bullet hole in the buggy, and the distance from which the gun was fired.

Over the weekend, reader Mary (not to be confused with Michigan Mary, who has also added details) shared some insights into the tragedy. Mary is a cousin of Rachel Yoder’s mother.

From Mary’s account:

I just came home from attending the funeral of Rachel in Ohio. I have the facts straight since I talked with both the victims family and also the father of the 28 yr. old single son who was unloading his musselloader gun in the evening after coming home from a hunt in W.V.

It is a long sad story but yes, it was an accident. The bullet traveled 1-1/4 mi. before hitting Rachel on top of her head. Since it was a very windy night they are assuming she had her head down to ward off the wind. 

How did the bullet hit Rachel without causing damage to the buggy?

The bullet came through the opening on the front end of the buggy which was not enclosed with a storm front.

Two of the major Holmes County Amish groups, the Swartzentruber Amish and the Andy Weaver Amish, do not use storm fronts, which are akin to car windshields, on their buggies.  As for the shooter, Mary adds:

The son who shot, along with his father, came to the victims family the morning after the funeral and apoligized profusely while weeping bitterly. The police encouraged them to wait but after telling him they need to go now, were allowed to go.

The family forgave, and they are still friends. Both familys are Amish. The shooter has a bro. who is on his deathbed this moment from a rare disease. We are praying for his family as well as my cousins family.

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