*** LISTEN *** 7-YEAR-OLD SHOT WHILE FLEEING SERIES OF “POPS” AT...

BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS – [HN NOTES] – A 7-year-old boy was apparently shot in the leg while running away from a series of sudden pops at the Trinity Christian Academy playground Thursday evening, according to a family member. The “bullet,” or “pellet,” or “projectile” went all the way through the child’s leg, according to an emergency room photograph provided by the family member. The image was graphic despite much of the blood being already wiped away, with neat entry and exit wounds consistent with some type of .22 caliber (.22 inch) high-powered projectile (approximately). The projectile “fortunately” missed (or did not damage) the child’s tibia and fibula bones. It also missed major blood vessels, like the anterior tibia artery, for example… but the projectile did travel all the way through the child’s leg, nonetheless. The entry and exit wounds are a good 1.5 to 2 inches apart, on the shin, about 5 to 6 inches below the boy’s knee. The photo shows a significant amount of bruising developing around the entry and exit wounds, along with bruising on the skin above the apparent path of the projectile. (The family member and HN discussed possibly publishing the photo, but we both quickly decided it too graphic in this situation, for a number of reasons…)

According to the child’s adult family member, about 5 or 6 children of varying ages were playing at the Trinity Christian Academy’s playground sometime shortly before 7:50 p.m. Thursday evening. All of the children live at apartment buildings neighboring the school’s playground.

All of sudden, the children began hearing a series of “pops” that startled them. While running from the pops, the 7-year-old was hit in the leg with something. It seemed like someone at a distance was aiming at the children. A projectile grazed a second child’s ear, according to the family member.

There were around five rapid pops, according to the family member.

As you will hear in the following HN AUDIO, at 7:50 p.m. Thursday evening – 7/25/2024 – a Barnstable FD ambulance was dispatched to the back outside area of a building at the Village Green Apartments, 767 Independence Drive. The call was for a 7-year-old child with “priority two” puncture wounds to the leg. FD met the young victim behind the building, near the Trinity Christian Academy playground. EMTs immediately requested the Barnstable Police to the scene, saying, “Can we have PD to the scene as well, please… there’s the potential there’s a firearm involved with this… unconfirmed…”

Barnstable Police sent several patrol units to the Village Green Apartments to investigate. The injured 7-year-old was transported from the scene by Barnstable FD. A Barnstable Police squad car followed the ambulance to CCH as the investigation continued.

A second Barnstable FD ambulance was dispatched to one of the Village Green Apartments to evaluate a second child hurt during the incident. The second child was not transported.

Barnstable Police Detectives also responded to the Village Green Apartments to assist in the investigation. Photographs were taken at the Village Green Apartments and at Cape Cod Hospital… (and probably at the playground as well.)

HN spoke with a number of police sources and learned the investigation is active and ongoing. At this point, police are leaning toward the theory that the boy’s injuries were caused by a powerful BB or pellet gun. It is believed the projectile made its way around the child’s tibia (shinbone), in one side of the shin and out the other… because a more powerful firearm would have likely damaged the child’s bone.

HN NOTE: Whether the children were sniped at with an air rifle or a “real” firearm is irrelevant. Some of these new air rifles are powerful enough to cause serious injury or death.

It’s unknown whether the alleged “shots” came from a passing car or an apartment building overlooking the children on the playground… or someplace else…

I had a lengthy conversation with the child’s adult family member. The child is traumatized. The family is traumatized. The thought of someone aiming at children with a powerful weapon has caused anxiety. The family member ended our conversation with several statements expressing fear. “He was targeted!” “We don’t feel safe!”

Friends of the family have reportedly come over to stay with the 7-year-old to provide comfort. Safety and “comfort” are any child’s most basic needs.

(Please hug your children and stay safe.)

[HN AUDIO/VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]