A CLINTON COUNTY MAN IS CHARGED WITH FELONY ASSAULT, STEMMING FROM AN EARLY-MORNING HUNTING ACCIDENT TODAY IN THE TOWN OF POTSDAM.

            CANTON STATE POLICE B-C-I SAYS 43-YEAR-OLD RICKY BRUNELLE OF ELLENBURG DEPOT FIRED A ROUND OF CONE-SHAPED MUZZLE-LOADER PELLETS AT 38-YEAR-OLD BERNARD SHARLOW OF POTSDAM ON A PARCEL OF LAND BRUNELLE WAS RENTING OFF COUNTY ROUTE 35, NEAR DAYTON ROAD ABOUT 7:30 THIS MORNING.  INVESTIGATORS SAY BRUNELLE WAS UNABLE TO SEE SHARLOW WHEN HE FIRED THE GUN.  SHARLOW WAS SHOT IN THE ABDOMEN.  HE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO CANTON-POTSDAM HOSPITAL, THEN TRANSFERRED BY AMBULANCE TO FLETCHER-ALLEN HEALTH CARE IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT.  INVESTIGATORS SAY WEATHER CONDITION MADE AN AIRLIFT IMPOSSIBLE.  A CONDITION REPORT IS NOT YET AVAILABLE

            BRUNELLE WAS ARRESTED LATE THIS MORNING ON A COUNT OF SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT.  HE IS AN OFF-DUTY CORRECTIONS OFFICER.  INVESTIGATORS SAY THE ST.LAWRENCE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IS SUGGESTING BRUNELLE BE RELEASED TO PROBATION SUPERVISION UNTIL A FUTURE COURT DATE.