Finding into death of Paul Christian Flegel

61y · Male·Gunshot injury to thigh with transection of left femoral artery resulting in exsanguination

Paul Flegel, 61, died from a gunshot wound to the thigh sustained during an armed altercation with Barry Butler on 27 October 2022 in Beechworth, Victoria. Paul had consumed significant alcohol and became increasingly agitated, making threatening phone calls and voicemails to Barry. He attended Barry's house armed with a firearm, an exchange of gunfire occurred, and Paul was shot in the right thigh. The bullet transected his left femoral artery resulting in death by exsanguination. Paul had underlying terminal prostate cancer and mild cardiac disease but these did not materially contribute to death. The circumstances indicate this was a homicide case involving alcohol intoxication, escalating aggression, and firearm access during an interpersonal dispute.