New Jersey 4-year-old shoots 6-year-old neighbor in the head

Authorities are still investigating how the younger child obtained the .22-caliber rifle

Published April 9, 2013 2:59PM (EDT)

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TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Authorities are deciding whether to charge anyone after police say a 6-year-old was shot in the head by a 4-year-old in New Jersey.

The older boy is in serious condition.

Authorities are still investigating how the younger child obtained the .22-caliber rifle from his family's Toms River home Monday night.

Police Chief Michael Mastronardy says the children were outside the 4-year-old's home when the boy went inside, got the rifle and shot the 6-year-old about 15 yards away. It's not clear if the 4-year-old pulled the trigger or if the rifle accidentally discharged.

The parents of the 4-year-old were home at the time.

No names have been released.

The shooting comes amid debate over gun control laws in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting.


By Associated Press

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Associated Press Connecticut Gun Control Gun Violence New Jersey