Drizzt
Member
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution
February 15, 2003 Saturday Metro Edition
SECTION: Metro News; Pg. 3E
LENGTH: 288 words
HEADLINE: 12-year-old dies after friend, 9, shoots him
BYLINE: LINDSAY JONES
SOURCE: AJC
BODY:
A 12-year-old Barrow County boy died Thursday evening after being accidentally shot by his 9-year-old neighbor, police said.
The two boys were in a room in the younger boy's home at 2343 Greeson Road in Statham when the .22-caliber rifle went off around 6 p.m., Barrow sheriff's Capt. Murray Kogod said. The older boy, who lived across the street, was struck in the abdomen. He was airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, where he died around 9 p.m.
Kogod refused to release the names of the children or their families until the investigation is complete. At least one adult was home at the time of the shooting, Kogod said.
Kogod said the shooting was an accident and said the 9-year-old is currently with his parents.
The sheriff's department is still trying to figure out how the children acquired the rifle.
"We don't have any information that the gun went off on its own. We are deeming it accidental," Kogod said.
The parents of the 9-year-old could not be reached for comment, and family members at the 12-year-old boy's home declined to speak with reporters Friday.
Kogod said no charges had been filed, but added that investigators would meet with the Barrow County district attorney when the investigation is complete to decide if any laws were violated.
Neighbor Dorothy Burke, who lives next door to the 9-year-old's family and across the street from the 12-year-old, said the two boys had been friends "for a long time."
"They would always cut across my yard, and they would yell 'It's just us, Miss Dottie,' " she said.
Burke said she went next door Thursday night after police arrived and saw the 9-year-old, who was crying and "very upset," as he talked to police.
February 15, 2003 Saturday Metro Edition
SECTION: Metro News; Pg. 3E
LENGTH: 288 words
HEADLINE: 12-year-old dies after friend, 9, shoots him
BYLINE: LINDSAY JONES
SOURCE: AJC
BODY:
A 12-year-old Barrow County boy died Thursday evening after being accidentally shot by his 9-year-old neighbor, police said.
The two boys were in a room in the younger boy's home at 2343 Greeson Road in Statham when the .22-caliber rifle went off around 6 p.m., Barrow sheriff's Capt. Murray Kogod said. The older boy, who lived across the street, was struck in the abdomen. He was airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, where he died around 9 p.m.
Kogod refused to release the names of the children or their families until the investigation is complete. At least one adult was home at the time of the shooting, Kogod said.
Kogod said the shooting was an accident and said the 9-year-old is currently with his parents.
The sheriff's department is still trying to figure out how the children acquired the rifle.
"We don't have any information that the gun went off on its own. We are deeming it accidental," Kogod said.
The parents of the 9-year-old could not be reached for comment, and family members at the 12-year-old boy's home declined to speak with reporters Friday.
Kogod said no charges had been filed, but added that investigators would meet with the Barrow County district attorney when the investigation is complete to decide if any laws were violated.
Neighbor Dorothy Burke, who lives next door to the 9-year-old's family and across the street from the 12-year-old, said the two boys had been friends "for a long time."
"They would always cut across my yard, and they would yell 'It's just us, Miss Dottie,' " she said.
Burke said she went next door Thursday night after police arrived and saw the 9-year-old, who was crying and "very upset," as he talked to police.