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"Pretend Shooting" All Too Real: NJ 4-Year-Old Shoots 6-Year-Old In Head
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 9, 2013
Modified Apr 9, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 9, 2013
Modified Apr 9, 2013
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Via NBC New York
Last night, a six-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital after being shot in the head by his four-year-old neighbor, who was using his parents' .22-caliber rifle. Apparently the four-year-old took out the weapon for some "pretend shooting." The victim's father told the Star-Ledger, "It's not good."
The incident occurred yesterday at 6:30 p.m. in Toms River, NJ. The younger boy took the rifle into his backyard. A neighbor told the Star-Ledger that "he fired once from 15 yards away, striking Brandon [Holt] in the head. The older boy was sitting in a go-kart at the time, said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy at a press conference with Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato. While the 6 year old lies in critical condition at an area hospital, detectives continue their investigation, which included seizing a collection of guns from the 4-year-old's home, said another neighbor."
Little Brandon's uncle says that bullet went through the boy's head—it's apparently lodged in his brain. It's unclear if anyone will be charged.
Another neighbor told WABC 7, "I'm sad for the children involved and their families, but I'm angry with whoever owns that gun and allowed a little child to get hold of it. A 4-year-old can't load a gun."
Tagged
children
gun violence
nj
rifle
shooting
tragedy
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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