CLAY, Fla. — A teen is recovering in the hospital Thursday evening, after deputies say he was accidentally shot Thursday afternoon.
Deputies are still investigating what led up to this.
A family friend who didn’t wish to be on camera told Action News Jax the family didn’t want to speak at this time, and says a teenager was holding a gun when it slipped. That’s when he accidentally shot his 14-year-old friend.
Deputies are still looking into this, but sources say that the teen will be OK.
A report from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office says shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, an officer responded to Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County Hospital with reports of a 14-year-old shot in the abdomen. It happened along Silver Moss Circle in Middleburg.
Mark Burrell, a neighbor, tells us he sees teens in the area all the time.
“[I see teens] having a good time with their 4-runners and dirt bikes and stuff, playing,” he said.
“They’ll see me outside doing something or just relaxing, and they’ll wave and I’ll wave back. They’re real friendly,” he added.
The report from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office says in addition to the 14-year-old victim, a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were also in the home.
You can read the narrative portion of the report here: (ATTACHED)
“That’s really tragic,” Burrell said. “I mean, [I’m] hearing a lot about gun violence lately.”
Although the investigation continues, Burrell has this advice for families with a gun in the house: “Let your parents control the guns, keep them locked up, put them away.”
And he has these words for the family involved: “I hope your child recovers quickly.”
Action News Jax also requested the number of juveniles shot here in Clay County this year. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s crime reporting unit is looking into this, and we are waiting on their response.
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