Related: Cheney accidentally shoots, injures fellow hunter
    Cheney breaks silence over shooting incident

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney was cleared of any wrongdoing on Thursday by local police in Texasfor shooting accidentally last Saturday a hunting companion, and the case was closed, authorities said.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney arrives at the White House in Washington, February 16, 2006. [Xinhua/Reuters]

    A probe into the incident had determined Cheney shot Texas lawyer Harry Whittington by accident, and therefore no legal action was needed, said Ramon Salinas, the county sheriff of Kenedy County.

    "No charges will be filed against anybody," Salinas said.

    Cheney accidentally shot Whittington during a quail hunting trip in Texas on Saturday, who was injured on his right side, withshotgun pellets hitting his cheek, neck and chest.

    Cheney broke silence over the mishap on Wednesday, saying that he accepted full responsibility for accidentally shooting Whittington.

    "I fired, and there's Harry falling. It was, I'd have to say, one of the worst days of my life at that moment," he said.

    Also on Thursday, President George W. Bush said he was satisfied with Cheney's explanation about the incident, his first public comments on the shooting.

    "I thought the vice president handled the issue just fine. And I thought his explanation yesterday was a powerful explanation," Bush said. Enditem