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Jill Atwood ReportingA 14-year old boy was surrounded by his family Tuesday as he tried to come to terms with a horrible accident. Police say the 14-year old was handling a gun in a neighbor's garage when it accidentally went off. The twelve-year old was hit in the head and died early Tuesday.
The owner of the gun and the 14-year old are facing possible negligence charges. The district attorney's office is looking over the case, seeing if charges should be filed, specifically against the gun owner.
Two curious young boys unsupervised in a neighbor's garage. A loaded gun sitting feet away in an open car, seconds later that gun goes off.
Jodi Skogg, South Jordan Police Department: “He is young. He’s a good kid, good background, good family. He just made a mistake.”
Neighbors say the 12-year old and his 14-year old friend did odd jobs for the man every summer, and that he actually employed the teen's mother.
Mark Higley, Neighbor: "Have these innocent kids, whether they were playing around or whatever happened to have somebody die over this is just a tragedy for the community as well just for gun intervention period."
The teen told police he was trying to put the gun back in its holster when it went off. There is question tonight as to whether there was a round in the chamber already or if the boy in fact put that round in the chamber.
Police have a strong message for parents and gun owners.
"Right now we believe it's up to the parents to teach their kids about gun safety, and they need to keep their guns locked up and away from kids."
If charges are filed against the gun owner they're likely to be reckless endangerment; the same goes for the 14-year old possibly. There's no evidence whatsoever that this was intentional.
