Hampshire Police Chief Inspector Chris Douglas said investigators rushed to a wooded area in Southampton after the boy’s near miss with the gun, which he and a friend had brought home
A young boy was shot in the head after finding a pistol in the woods he and a friend mistook for a BB gun – but miraculously escaped without serious injuries.
The schoolboy, 11, walked away with nothing more than a graze to the head after he and another boy discovered the deadly weapon in a wooded area near Tickleford Drive in Weston, Southampton, on April 7. Parts of a nature reserve in the area, Westwood Nature Reserve, have remained cordoned off for days, and police remain at the scene today.
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed as investigators continue to comb the area that the pair had brought the gun home, believing it was a BB pistol – play guns that shoot pellets instead of bullets – before accidentally firing it once.
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Police said they were alerted to the situation just before 5.30pm that evening, and were taken to the area where the gun was found by the children. Chief Inspector Chris Douglas, deputy district commander for Southampton, said investigators rushed to the areas and have been thoroughly searching the area in the two days since.
He said: “As soon as this incident was reported to us on Tuesday, our teams were swiftly in attendance and have been carrying out thorough enquiries and searches in the area since.”
“We know that our scenes will have disrupted people’s normal daily routines, and we want to thank local residents for their patience as we carry out our investigation. Thankfully, this discovery has not resulted in more serious injuries, and the boys and their families have acted quickly to report the matter to us and allow us start further enquiries.
“These kinds of firearms are often used to threaten people, and cause serious harm, and we are committed to tackling and disrupting serious criminal activity.” The boy was treated for a graze to the head following the gun discharge.
Police have confirmed that it was the boy who wasn’t injured that fired the gun. Police have said that investigative teams have remained in the area following the incident, and are currently carrying out house-to-house inquiries. Locals who may have concerns regarding the news have been encouraged to speak with officers who remain on the scene.
Chief Inspector Douglas said: “Our teams remain in the area today, and will be conducting patrols and house to house enquiries, if you do have any concerns or questions, then please do not hesitate to speak with them.”
