A 10-year-old boy is expected to recover after what police are calling an accidental shooting Monday morning in St. Petersburg.
- Boy, 10, shot Monday morning at a home in St. Pete
- St. Pete Police said the shooting is being ruled accidental
- Victim listed in stable condition, expected to recover
The shooting happened at about 10:30 a.m. at a house on 17th Avenue South. St. Pete Police said the boy was playing with a group of children under the supervision of a 17-year-old.
According to officers, the children were playing with a gun and an 11-year-old boy fired the weapon, hitting the other boy.
The child was struck in the arm and the shoulder, police said. He was taken to All Children's Hospital and listed in stable condition.
"Everyone involved is cooperative," said Maj. Shannon Halstead, of the St. Petersburg Police Department. "All of the juveniles, all of their parents are cooperating. The firearm was recovered, so at this point, everyone is cooperating."
Detectives haven't said how the children got the gun. The victim's family members said it could be a lesson for all gun owners.
"Obviously, it became clear for our family today — it's a matter of life and death on locking up your guns," said Tricinia Rucker, who said she was a cousin of the boy who was shot. "It only takes a few seconds or a few minutes and it can make the difference between life and death."
St. Pete Police will work with the State Attorney's Office to determine if any charges will be filed.