Teen charged in accidental shooting of LaGrange child

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 30, 2015

Juvenile awaits trial in accidental shooting

Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/07/web1_LDN-Web-logo70.jpg

LaGRANGE — A 16-year-old juvenile remains in the Youth Detention Center after being charged in connection with a shooting of a child on Revis Street back on June 21.

LaGrange Police Department Sgt. William Nelson said the juvenile, whose identity is not being released because of his age, brought a gun into the home in the 400 block of Revis Street. At some point, three children under 10 years old, including the victim, found the weapon.

Police said while one of the children was handling gun, it went off and a 7-year-old was hit in the back.

The child was flown to an Atlanta area hospital for surgery and treatment. According to Nelson, as of two weeks ago, the 7-year-old was still being rehabilitated for his injuries from that gunshot wound.

Police said the adults in the residence – a mother, grandmother and grandfather of the children – were in other rooms during the incident. Detectives quickly determined the shooting was an apparent accident.

Nelson said after further investigation, the 16-year-old was arrested about a week after the shooting and charged with possession of a firearm, cruelty to children and participation of a street gang.

The juvenile had connections to the home, Nelson said, but it did not appear that the youth actually lived there.

The teen is currently detained in YDC and is awaiting trial.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter for LaGrange Daily News. She may be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.