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Local News

July 27, 2012

14-year-old charged in accidental gunshot

COOPERSTOWN -- A 14-year-old Morris boy has been charged with juvenile delinquency after accidentally firing a high-powered hunting rifle and damaging a nearby Otsego County-owned dump truck, authorities reported Wednesday.

No injuries resulted from the errant shot fired from a Unadilla home July 12, Otsego County Sheriff's Department Investigator Jason Munson said.

The youth is not being identified because he is a minor, Munson noted.

Had the teen been two years older, he would have been charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, Munson said.

A county highway worker had been standing near the parked dump truck at the time of the incident, Munson said.

The shot was fired from inside a residence off county Highway 4.

The gun is owned by the youth's grandfather, he said.

Immediately after firing the gun, the boy walked to the truck to make sure no one was injured, he noted.

Munson said the investigation that resulted included consultation with state Department of Environmental Conservation Officer Tim Card as well as with the county attorney's office.

The bullet fragmented after striking the truck's hood, he said.

After the shot was fired, the boy "seemed nervous and upset," he said. "There was definitely no intent."

The youth and his mother have been given appearance tickets directing them to report to the county Probation Department on Tuesday.

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