5-year-old Philadelphia boy recovering in hospital after being shot at home

Police believe the boy's father, on house arrest at the time, accidentally fired a gun while handling it
Ambulance
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PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 5-year-old boy is believed to have been accidentally shot inside his Olney home on Monday. Police believe the boy’s father, who was on house arrest for a firearm violation, is the one who accidentally fired the shot.

Just before 9:30 a.m., police were called to a home on Fischer Street, near Second Street, where they found the boy with a gunshot in his hip. He was taken to the hospital, where he is in stable condition. He is expected to physically recover.

Friends of the father, and other family members, including the boy’s 9-year-old brother, were in the home when the shot was fired, said Capt. James Kearney, of the Shooting Investigation Group.

At this time, police believe the boy’s father fired the handgun.

“He is currently under house arrest for a [firearm] violation, which occurred back in November, Kearney said. “He was sentenced this March and was immediately paroled to the house, where he was wearing an ankle monitor, a monitoring system.”

Police found a shotgun inside the home, but they say that is not the gun that was fired. Police believe someone got rid of the gun and picked up shell casings to conceal the shooting.

“That gun left the premises and we are … doing the steps now to track down that gun now.  They were also quick enough to take that spent cartridge casing out as well,” Kearney said.

The father is prohibited from having access to any gun, and charges are expected to be filed. At the very least, officials said, he is looking at several gun offenses.

Kearny said shootings involving juveniles are up about 28% from this time last year.

“It is a concern of ours. We see it. Here at SIG, our job is to investigate it and hold people accountable, and we are doing that. We are doing that with much success. Cases like these, accidental discharges, these matters take up a lot of time.”

They urge anyone who has a gun at home to keep it safely locked away.

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