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Tahoe Man Cleared In Fatal Shooting Of Bear

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (AP) -- Wildlife officials have cleared a Lake Tahoe man in the Nov. 20 fatal shooting of a black bear inside his restaurant.

California Department of Fish and Game biologist supervisor Jason Holley says William Hunter acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a 500-pound bear inside Bacchi's Inn Restaurant in Tahoe City.

Hunter encountered the bruin sleeping on the floor of the dining room and shouted to drive him off the premises. The Sierra Sun of Truckee reports Hunter shot and killed the bear with a shotgun after the animal became aggressive and charged him.

Holley says Hunter had installed electric bear wires around windows and doors of the property, and the investigating officer reported nothing improper about the restaurant's trash storage.

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