Dick Cheney hunting accident
While Whittington was searching for a downed bird, Cheney, Willeford, and a guide walked towards another covey about 100 yards (91 m) away.
[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.
At the scene: In a car at an unstated distance away from the shooting: On February 13, 2006, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (an agency once headed by Armstrong)[15] issued an incident report.
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.
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.
[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.
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.
He had previously avoided reporters by leaving an Oval Office meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Cheney acknowledged that White House Counselor Dan Bartlett and Scott McClellan "urged us to get the story out".
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.
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.
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.
The officers then left, telling Whittington, "I [Miguel] would give him a call in a few days to get the written affidavit".
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.
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.
"[26] 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.
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.
