TX: teen injured by friend's shotgun

September 29, 2010

Deputies respond to teen injured by friend's shotgun

Parker County - A 13-year-old boy is recovering from a shooting accident that occurred Sunday in Springtown.

Two boys were dove hunting with shotguns in the 1800 block of Sessums Road around 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

The boys told Parker County Sheriff's deputies they were walking in a family pasture next to a pond when one of the boys lost his footing in some mud and slipped.

According to the Parker County Sheriff's Office, the boy who fell told deputies he had his finger on the trigger of a 12 gauge shotgun and the weapon accidentally discharged as he went down. The other boy was shot in the back of both calves.

The uninjured boy ran for help, according to the sheriff's office. Family members were called and transported the injured boy to a hospital in Azle. He was later transferred to a hospital in downtown Fort Worth where he received treatment for injuries to the back of both calves. The injuries were said to be non-life threatening, according to the sheriff's office.

The case is being investigated by the PCSO Criminal Investigations Division, as per department routine.

"Anytime there's a discharge [of firearms], we're going to look at it," Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said.

Fowler said unsafe handling of firearms is what contributes to the majority of weapons-related injuries.

"It is an unfortunate situation when a child is injured, but these sort of dangerous occurrences and injuries could have been prevented 100 percent," Fowler said.

Fowler noted that going into hunting season, there is a need to be careful when in the field.

Parker County game warden Ronald Mathis noted that all hunters born after Sept. 2, 1971, are required to successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course by state law. Minimum age of certification is 9 years old.

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