PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to several charges related to the accidental shooting of his 5-year-old son in April.
Authorities say Nicholas Pagan, 29, never meant to shoot his son. He was on house arrest on April 24 and was prohibited from having a gun because of a drug charge, but when a visiting friend handed him a gun, he accidentally pulled the trigger and fired a bullet into the young boy’s thigh.
When police arrived at the home on Fisher Avenue in Olney, Pagan initially told them his son had been shot while standing on the porch.
Pagan pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, gun charges and two counts of endangering the welfare of children — because his 9-year-old son witnessed the shooting.
The children’s mother told the court she is devastated by what happened, saying it was the worst day of her life.
Raised by the streets without his own father present, a witness to violence, most of his childhood friends dead — Pagan has faced many traumas in his life, the mother said. She said he needs to pay for what he did, and agreed that he should have access to therapy so he can heal and be a better father.
The judge said he would have to weigh all of the facts of the case, including state guidelines, before sentencing Pagan in January. Meanwhile, Pagan will undergo a full investigation with a mental health evaluation.
Editor’s update, March 28, 2024
Nicholas Pagan was sentenced to six to 15 years behind bars, as well as seven years probation. He has previous gun and drug convictions, and this was a violation of his probation.