Delaware State Police
News Release

State Police Investigate Accidental Shooting

Released Saturday, February 08, 2009

Pickering Beach – The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a shooting that left a 61 year old Felton man with an injured knee. Troopers responded to the incident today at approximately 1:00 pm after it was reported the man was shot as he was driving an off road vehicle known as a Gator in an open field off of Pickering Beach Road.

As detectives began investigating and while examining the crime scene, shots were heard being fired nearby. Police located a 9 year old Dover boy target shooting in the back yard of a residence in the 600 block of Pickering Beach Road. The boy, who was shooting a .22 caliber rifle approximately 150 yards away from the scene, was found to be responsible for the incident. Detectives learned the boy retrieved the weapon from the attic of the home and went outside to target shoot.

The gun and bullets were seized to be compared forensically to a recovered bullet from the Gator. The victim was treated and released from Kent General Hospital for a gunshot wound to the knee. A second person, a 57 year old Dover man, was also on the Gator and was not injured. Detectives note that the mother of the 9 year old boy, a 28 year old Dover woman, was inside the home when the incident occurred.

This is an ongoing investigation and currently no charges have been filed. The Delaware State Police would like to remind gun owners of some safety protocols while keeping a gun stored in the home while children are present. The following steps are recommended:

·         Keep the gun in a locked secure area

• Keeping the gun unloaded
• Store the ammunition in a separate locked location away from the gun

• Hide the keys to the locked firearm and ammunition storage boxes.
• Only parents should know the location of the gun storage.
• Check with your local police for advice about safe storage and gun locks.
• Teach your children never to touch guns. Make sure they know that guns can be dangerous.

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