13-year-old arrested after accidentally shooting friend playing video games, Pinellas Park police say

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) — A 13-year-old boy was arrested after police said he accidentally shot his friend while they were playing video games.

Pinellas Park Police said they were called to the 11600 block of 59th Street on Sunday afternoon after a child was shot.

The boy, who is also 13, was taken to a hospital, where he is in stable condition.

Police said they learned that the suspect went into a room that was being rented out and stole a Glock 44 .22 caliber handgun. They said the boy hid the gun in his bedroom.

While the two boys were playing video games, police said the suspect showed off the gun to his friend and began playing with it. Investigators said the gun was accidentally discharged and struck the victim in the torso.

“Leaving it under a mattress or in a drawer, that along isn’t secure,” Lt. John Shea said. “It may be out of sight, but children are left at home, especially during the summer. When they have downtime, they’re going to go hunting and if they find it, that’s when bad things happen.”

After the shooting, police said the boy threw the gun over a fence. Investigators said they have since found the gun.

“It’s scary because we have a kid here,” a nearby neighbor told News Channel 8’s Linnie Supall. “My neighbors always have their kids, so it’s very scary.”

Police originally said the victim was a 12-year-old, however, they have since learned he was 13 years old.

The 13-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

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