The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday night in Newcomerstown that left a 12-year old injured.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell says deputies were dispatched to a home in the 7300 block of Moore’s Hill Rd SW to investigate an “accidental” shooting of a 12-year-old boy.
When deputies arrived to the scene, the boy’s 18-year-old brother said the 12-year-old pulled the gun from his waistband and accidentally shot himself in the abdomen.
The boy was transported to CC Union Hospital and then flown via Med Flight to Akron Children’s Hospital. The boy is in stable condition and may be released from the hospital as early as today.
Investigators spoke to the boy who was shot and he told them that his 18-year-old brother was handling the handgun when it went off.
The 18-year-old later told deputies he was afraid of getting in trouble so he originally told them his brother shot himself.
The 18-year-old alleges that the boy located the gun under a sofa, which he placed there and forgot about. When the older brother took the gun from the boy to put up in another room, he grabbed the trigger and shot the boy on accident.
Sheriff Campbell says they have reason to believe the brothers are close and the shooting is completely accidental after speaking with family members.
A report will be completed and passed onto the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor for review.