Authorities have released new information in connection with a shooting that occurred one week ago in Aiken County, where a 1-year-old child was injured.
According to Wagener Police Chief Mark Warchol, the child suffered a single gunshot wound to the leg at his home on Hailey Stone Court. He has been released from the hospital. Warchol said the shooting appears to have been accidental.
“From information gathered, the victim’s brother located a firearm in someone’s book bag,” Chief Warchol said. “The child started playing with it and when he was caught with the gun by an adult, he went to hand the gun to the adult and he accidentally pulled the trigger, causing the gun to shoot his brother in his leg.”
The Wagener Police Department posted an update to its Facebook page on June 3 stating that an arrest had been made in the investigation but clarified that the shooter has not been arrested.
“We never said we arrested the shooter,” the department wrote. “We are still investigating this serious matter. We are getting more details as our investigation goes on.”
The post also noted that, based on current findings, the case is being treated as an accidental shooting and that no evidence has been found to suggest otherwise. Police say a full release will be provided once all details are gathered.
