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Jed Boal ReportingChild's play today turned serious in a second. An accident with a rifle put a boy in the hospital. It's the kind of accident parents never think will happen to their kids.
The nine-year old boy was playing this afternoon in Plain City. Tonight he's recovering at Primary Children's Hospital. Fortunately, it appears the boy will be okay. He's in serious but stable condition tonight, but it could have easily turned out much differently.
Medics and sheriff's deputies rushed to the scene in Plain City, hoping the young victim would survive.
Zach Watkins, Neighbor: "I just heard a big bang, and I didn't think anything because this neighborhood's usually pretty good."
When the sirens blared and emergency vehicles rolled into the neighborhood, everyone knew something bad had happened.
Lexi Redd, Neighbor: "Around here when you hear sirens, there's gotta be something wrong. It's such a quiet neighborhood."
Police say the nine-year-old boy was playing with his two sisters and an 11-year-old cousin, the adults were gone. The kids pulled two BB guns and a 22-caliber rifle from the upper shelf of a master bedroom closet, out of the way but not secured. Deputies say the cousins horsed around pretending to shoot each other.
Lt. Terry Thompson, Weber Co. Sheriff's Office: "We believe perhaps the 22 was believed to be a BB gun, believed to be unloaded, and the accidental shooting took place."
The 11-year old boy shot his younger cousin in the mouth. Investigators do not know if the 22 was loaded when the children found it. Other children in the neighborhood were sad to learn one of their playmates had been shot.
Zach Watkins: "I think people shouldn't leave them out. It makes it a lot more dangerous, your household and stuff."
Lt. Terry Thompson, Weber Co. Sheriff's Office: "As a responsible gun owner, you want to make sure unauthorized hands don't get hold of your firearms, whether it be children or a bad guy, either way."
Again, the child is in serious, but stable condition, a real relief for folks in that neighborhood.
Deanie Wimmer ReportingA top shelf in a bedroom closet may seem out of harm's way, but as you heard police say, unless the gun is secure, it's not safe. Many police departments will give free gunlocks.
Here are some gun safety tips to help your children Stay Safe:
- Remove ammunition from your guns.
- Lock your gun, either in a gunsafe or with trigger locks.
- Store your gun and ammunition separately.
State Health Department data shows firearms are among top ten causes of death for young people in Utah. These few precautions could prevent a tragedy.
