Boy, 12, Shot In Face With Gun By 11-Year-Old In Camden
By Steve Beck, Jenn Bernstein
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) – A 12-year-old was rushed to the hospital after being shot in the face by an 11-year-old in New Jersey Friday morning.
The shooting happened at about 8 a.m. at an apartment on Hunter Street in the Crestbury Apartments.
According to investigators, a 12-year-old boy was accidentally shot in the face with a .38 caliber revolver by his 11-year-old friend.
The 12-year-old was rushed to Cooper University Hospital where the child is undergoing treatment.
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office says the child is expected to survive.
"It seems at this point in time, it was curiosity. They were examining the gun and obviously a child is not going to properly handle the gun and a finger was put on the trigger and it discharge," says Chief Scott Thomson.
The two sixth graders were on their way to H.B. Wilson Elementary school which is a mere two blocks away.
"When I heard that it was these particularly young men, I said it could not be anything more than an accident because they are best friends, you see them together everyday playing," says Shabre Blake.
The Prosecutor's Office says the 12-year-old's 19-year-old brother was home at the time, but authorities do tell Eyewitness News for now they are still looking for him.
The the gun was recovered from the scene. Police will go through a number of questions about the weapon during their investigation.
"Is the gun owned lawfully? Is the gun owned unlawfully by an individual who's not a convicted felon? Where exactly was the gun? Was the gun secured?" says Thomson.
The chief says a myriad of charges could follow once they get to the bottom of what happen.
New Jersey law does prohibit unsecured firearms from being within reach of minors.
The 11-year-old was released to the custody of his mother and police say he will not be charged.
The shooting remains under investigation.
