After stumbling upon a firearm they mistook for a toy gun in a wooded area near Tickleford Drive in Weston, Southampton, an 11-year-old boy was shot in the head but miraculously escaped serious harm with only a graze. The incident occurred on April 7, and parts of the Westwood Nature Reserve in the area have been cordoned off as police investigate.
The Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that the boy and his friend found the gun and took it home, believing it to be a harmless BB pistol. However, they accidentally discharged it, prompting the police to be alerted just before 5:30 pm on the same day. Chief Inspector Chris Douglas mentioned that immediate action was taken by the authorities, who have been meticulously searching the area since the incident.
Chief Inspector Douglas expressed gratitude to local residents for their cooperation during the investigation, emphasizing that the discovery could have had far more severe consequences. He highlighted the dangers posed by firearms and the commitment of law enforcement to combat such criminal activities.
The boy, who sustained a minor head injury, was treated following the gun mishap. Police clarified that it was the uninjured boy who fired the weapon and that investigative teams are still present in the area, conducting thorough inquiries, including house-to-house visits. Residents with concerns are encouraged to engage with the officers at the scene.
Chief Inspector Douglas reassured the public of continued patrols and inquiries in the area, inviting anyone with questions or worries to approach the police for assistance.
