State Police Investigate Shooting of 5-year-old Child in FC
State and local police as well as other law enforcement agencies roped off the area around 1123 Fourth Avenue in Ford City after a five-year-old child was accidentally shot by one of his siblings yesterday morning.
by David Croyle
A five-year-old boy is in critical but stable condition this morning after being accidentally shot yesterday morning at his home in Ford City.
The shooting occurred shortly before Noon Wednesday in the kitchen of the residence at 1123 Fourth Avenue.
State Police Station Commander for the Kittanning Barracks Sergeant William Myers said the first call came in at 11:27 AM yesterday.
“The Ford City Police Department was dispatched for a report of a five-year-old child that might have been shot. Upon their arrival, they confirmed that (the child) had been shot in approximately the left clavicle (collarbone) region. Ford City Ambulance was also summoned to the scene and the child was flown from a nearby landing zone to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. We believe there may have been one adult in the residence at the time…”
According to unidentified persons assisting at the scene, the boy was awake and could speak as they transported him to the medical helicopter and he was flown to Children’s Hospital. State Police confirmed he underwent emergency surgery yesterday afternoon.
Neighbors said the mother was at work at the time but the father was with the three children in the home.
Neighbor Mike Gratteri lives across the street from the home and was acquainted with the family.
Neighbor Mike Gratteri lives across the street from the home and offered assistance to the children.
“We saw the ambulance and the police pull up and we saw the oldest boy run outside in his underwear yelling. I ran over to see what happened and he told me his little brother got shot.”
According to unidentified sources, the father had brought out his collection of guns and had them on the kitchen table in preparation for a party event. It was reported that the father was upstairs when a nine-year-old sibling picked up the handgun that went off, hitting the five-year-old in the collarbone area.
“I said, ‘Where’s your dad?’ Mom was working and Dad was here. He was in there with (the five-year-old). He said the youngest boy that got shot was not breathing but then they got him breathing at first and they got him breathing. Then the middle son came out - the one they are saying caused the shooting - he was very upset; crying. I got him and his brother and told them to come over to our house to get them away from this and let them take care of your brother.”
State Police initiated a search warrant to be able to perform a forensic investigation inside the home. Police removed a large number of guns and ammo from the kitchen of the residence that could become evidence if it is determined that charges should be filed.
Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi would not speculate on how his office will respond to findings by the investigation.
A search warrant was obtained in the investigation of this Fourth Avenue home where a five-year-old was shot yesterday morning. No charges have been filed yet in the incident.
“We’ll be consulting with (State Police) as soon as Forensics are done to determine what the exact facts are of this incident. (We are) waiting on the results of the treatment of the child, then that will determine where the case goes from there.”
Churches in the community are reaching out with special prayer vigils. Ford City Pastor Ali Berkey said her church has already begun offering prayers.
“Ford Memorial United Methodist Church has the family on their prayer list and it is going out on the FaceBook page. We just want to have a unified front for this family. They are going to need love and support throughout all of this, so we are praying for them.”
Pastor Craig Riggle of New Life Center in Ford City extended their concerns.
“We’re praying for the family and if there is anything else we can do, we are more than willing.”
Father John Harold is the priest at Christ Prince of Peace parish. He was moved by the events of yesterday morning.
” On behalf of Christ Prince of Peace and St. Lawrence partner parishes, we extend our prayers to the family. We are very sorry to hear of this terrible tragedy. We certainly hope that the young boy recovers and that everyone is okay in the family.”
Local News | David Croyle August 6, 2015
By Rat_Smeller, August 6, 2015 @ 10:04 AM
What kind of party are you getting ready for that you need to have all of your guns out on the kitchen table with your young kids running around???
By Just sayin, August 6, 2015 @ 3:28 PM
I’m glad I wasn’t going to that party.
Pray for the dad, too. Why was the gun loaded and guns left alone near children?
I hope some good comes out of this. The children are in my thoughts and prayers.
By jorn jensen, August 6, 2015 @ 9:40 PM
Good question, Rat_Smeller.
By mad-2010, August 7, 2015 @ 7:52 AM
Someone (DA) needs to charge this person with Negligence, this is by far much worse than a child left roaming the streets. Get this man (if you can go there) the parenting classes he needs or mental help he needs to understand conduct around children. Party my Behind! CYS, where you at?
By mad-2010, August 7, 2015 @ 8:00 AM
Sexual harassment lawsuit, inmate escape & murder, Negligence ending in a child being shot without a charge, come-on, someone in Kittanning needs to get the job done or Move-ON, Now!
Clean Up The Loose Ends, Period…
By steve, August 7, 2015 @ 3:10 PM
I don’t see how anyone can argue that a safety class or series of classes for gun ownership is a bad thing. It’s very likely that this gentleman and his children would have benefitted from it.