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Child Shot While Riding Bike In North Coventry Township

By Todd Quinones

NORTH COVENTRY Twp., Pa., (CBS) -- A community is shaken after the shooting of a young boy in Chester County.

The gunfire erupted on West Main Street in North Coventry Townshp.

It is not clear who fired the shot and why.

Emergency personnel scrambled to try and stop the boys bleeding.

The nine-year-old was shot once in the leg Friday while riding bikes with his friend on West Main Street near South Hanover Street.

We spoke with the friend's grandmother.

"He started to run home because he was hurt and that's when he fell down," Karen Vanderbrook said.

Neighbor Paul Fry heard the shot, but couldn't tell where it came from.

He immediately ran over to help the boy, who he says lost a lot of blood.

"He had his hands on his head; he wouldn't say anything but you could tell he was aware. He was in shock.  The young boy who was with him told me her heard the noise and turned around saw him fall over," Fry said.

North Coventry Township police spent Friday evening trying to track down where the shot was fired from and who may be responsible.

The nine-year-old was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Philadelphia.

The shooting happened just before 5 p.m. across the street from a playground.

"I was talking to his grandfather he said they were prepping him for surgery. He said he's aware and on medication. He was asking for Sponge Bob so that is a good sign," Fry said.

The boy was last listed in stable condition.

At this point investigators are trying to determine if this was a stray bullet, accidental discharge or if someone was aiming at the boy.

No arrests have been made.

 

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