Re-enactor sentenced in shooting of local optometrist, others
CONNELLSVILLE — A Wild West re-enactor who fired live bullets into a crowd of onlookers, injuring three people, including a Fayette County optometrist, will serve more than seven years in prison.
Paul F. Doering, 49, of Summerset, S.D., was sentenced Monday in connection with the June 2011 incident that injured Dr. John Ellis of Connellsville, a Minnesota woman and a Nebraska man.
“I’m glad to have it over with,” said Ellis on Wednesday.
Ellis said that he learned of the sentencing from his attorney and read the full account of the hearing in the Rapid City Journal, a South Dakota newspaper covering the story.
A trial was not held because Doering had entered a guilty plea to a charge of concealing evidence earlier in the year, Ellis said.
“I’m glad we didn’t have to travel out there to testify,” he said, adding that he was pleased with the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Viken.
The three victims, along with many others, including Ellis’ wife and two daughters, were watching the final act performed by the Dakota Wild Bunch, when Ellis and the two others were struck by bullets fired from Doering’s .45-caliber Ruger that he was using during the shootout. The actors were to be using blanks in their weapons during the show in Hill City, S.D., a tourist area in the Black Hills.
Ellis suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm and required surgery.
He continues to undergo weekly therapy treatments to improve the use of his left hand.
“It is coming along, but it is a very slow process,” said Ellis. “I still don’t have the dexterity in my hand and I am unable to make a fist.”
Ellis said that through his attorney he has filed a civil lawsuit against Doering. He declined comment about the content of the suit.