IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Authorities in Bonneville County say a 14-year-old boy was hospitalized with a gunshot wound after playing with the gun with another teen.
Through investigation, the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office says a 14-year-old and 16-year-old found a gun in a canal and took it home without their parent's knowledge.
Officials say the two teens were playing with the handgun in an apartment when the 16-year-old fired one round striking the 14-year-old. The boys also had no experience in handling a firearm, according to the press release.
First responders were called to the scene on Eagle Drive around 3:40 a.m. Paramedics provided treatment to the boy and he was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office would like to remind everyone that safe handling of firearms and respect of their capabilities is always a good practice. Never assume a firearm is unloaded or inoperable and Deputies recommend parents talking to their kids about gun safety. If a child finds a handgun the best practice is to leave it alone and immediately call Law Enforcement to come and safely take possession of it.
