After accidental shooting, teen faces six charges

A 17-year-old Bealeton boy faces six criminal charges after accidentaly shooting a younger friend last Friday, Jan. 18.

A few days before the shooting, the 17-year-old broke into a relative’s nearby home, forced open a gun safe and took three firearms, sheriff’s Lt. James Hartman said.

“On Jan. 18, the offender and victim (age 15) shot the guns in the woods near the offender’s home and then returned to the offender’s home on Coventry Road,” Lt. Hartman said. “The victim and offender were in a bedroom; the victim was lying on a bed, playing with a cell phone as the offender was unloading a 9mm handgun.

“The gun fired and struck the victim in the upper right bicep, exiting through the arm, through the bed into the floor.”

The 17-year-old’s parents drove the shooting victim to the Lois Volunteer Fire Department. The victim’s father drove his wounded son to Fauquier Hospital, Lt. Hartman said.

Deputies responded to investigate the gunshot wound at 2 p.m. Friday.

They arrested the 17-year-old, who appeared before a juvenile intake officer.

The teenager faces three counts of theft of a firearm by a juvenile, reckless handling of a firearm, breaking and entering and possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

Deputies recovered all three stolen handguns, Lt. Hartman said.

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