Investigators: Officer accidentally shot teenage son in head

ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - A 15-year-old boy is recovering at Vidant Medical Center after being shot in the head Monday afternoon.

The shooting happened at a home on Haw Branch Road at about 4:30 p.m. Monday. Investigators said the weapon was a handgun. The boy’s father is a City of Jacksonville police officer, and officials said the man is responsible for the shooting. They said “preliminary indications” lead them to believe it was an accident.

The boy was first taken to Camp Lejeune’s Naval Trauma Center, and he is now at Vidant Medical Center with a life-threatening single gunshot wound.

The Jacksonville Police Department issued this statement: “The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into the incident and the Jacksonville Police Department is fully cooperating with their investigation. We ask that our community members keep our employee and their family in their thoughts and prayers at this time.”

Investigators said District Attorney Ernie Lee is aware of the investigation. “This is a tragic event and this matter remains under investigation by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office.” Lee said. “The reports, statements, and other evidence from the investigation will be provided to this office to determine what actions, if any, will be taken. I continue to remain in contact with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office in this ongoing investigation.”

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