Boy, 6, shot in head in Toms River, N.J., died
A 6-year-old Toms River, N.J., boy who was shot in the head Monday by his 4-year-old neighbor, died Tuesday night, Ocean County authorities said tonight.
According to Police Sgt. Robert Rankin, authorities were called to investigate a shooting about 6:40 p.m. Monday on McCormick Drive. They arrived to find the boy, 6, had been wounded by one shot. He was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and is in serious condition.
Details were few, but the incident occurred in the 4-year-old's yard after he apparently went inside and got access to the .22 caliber rifle. It was not clear how he got the weapon. Nor was it clear if the boy pulled the trigger purposefully, or if the firearm discharged accidentally. The boy's father and mother were home at the time.
Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said the 4-year-old was about 15 yards from the 6-year-old when the rifle fired.
Police are still investigating the incident and have not yet decided whether to charge anyone.
No names have been released.
Daily News reporter Solomon D. Leach contributed to this report.
A 6-year-old boy was accidentally shot in the head Monday night, apparently by a 4-year-old neighbor with a .22-caliber rifle, police said.
The 6-year-old victim was flown from a helicopter landing zone at Cedar Grove Road to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Police Chief Mastronardy said.
“The 6-year-old boy is in stable condition,” Mastronardy said later Monday night.
Police responded to the shooting at a residence shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, Mastronardy said. He said one shot was fired.
It was not clear whether the 4-year-old actually pulled the trigger or whether it accidentally discharged. “It’s still under investigation,” Mastronardy said.
Police are not releasing the identity of the victim or the shooter. Police also withheld the address where the shooting happened.
The shooting happened in the yard of the 4-year-old, the chief said.