hunting park

5-Year-Old Philly Boy Accidentally Shoots Self in Leg, Expected To Be OK

The boy accidentally shot himself in his Hunting Park home.

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A 5-year-old boy from the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia shot him self in the leg accidentally with a gun shortly after midnight on Thursday morning, his family and police say.

The boy was inside his home on the 3800 block of Darien Street when he accidentally shot himself in the left knee, according to Philadelphia Police. NBC10's Randy Gyllenhaal reports that the boy's mother rushed him to the hospital in her vehicle.

The boy was placed in stable condition at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and is expected to survive the gunshot wound, police say.

Investigators said the gun belonged to the child's father.

"The child's father is listed in this incident as the offender," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said. "The gun was in possession of the father at the time of the shooting."

Krasner said the child's father was not permitted to have a firearm due to previous convictions and could face criminal charges in connection to Thursday's incident.

"Maybe not just him, maybe other adults who were present, they may also be facing charges," Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore said.

There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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