Boy, 7, shot to death outside Pa. gun store

MERCER, Pa. Authorities say a 7-year-old boy was shot to death outside a western Pennsylvania gun store.

The boy was shot Saturday morning at Twigs Reloading Den in East Lackawannock Township, 60 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Store owner Leonard Mohney said he was shot in the parking lot.

CBS Station KDKA reports that when the gun went off, the boy was in a booster seat in a car while his father was backing out of a parking space.

It's not clear how the gun went off.

Nicole Howard, who works at a meatpacking company next door, tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review there was a single gunshot.

Mercer County 911 supervisor Valerie Hartman says police found the boy wounded in the chest.

The boy was found by authorities laying next to the truck after a failed attempt at CPR and died at the scene.

State Police and the Mercer County coroner are investigating. Neither has released information.

[whatthehellisthis1111]

Hey Chuck 766: I don't know if you realize it or not but persons like yourself, (speaking of course from how you so eloquently describe "people" as stupid liberals) did not corner the market on firearm ownership my friend. While my wife and I have friends on the right who love and respect the law enough to take every precaution, there are quite a number of "us" who do own and respectively operate. I would hope this past election (sorry for bringing that up now but it seems to fit in with the jargon you posted) taught you that not all of any total of one general area of people are looking for "gifts" (assuming this is what you meant by your comment), and while I was raised to respect the next man if I saw anyone's child in danger I'd be the first to get involved. Heck, anyone in general for that matter. For pete sake Chuck755, the premise of this comment is about someones child dying from a firearm and you own one or some? This is more the reason someone would have the leverage to call you a gun nut. The person who called you what he did is probably too scared to protect themselves and that being from hearing unfortunate stories such as this one. It's a shame but I know as owners we have to be the bigger persons here. It's because of the "stupid libs" comment that some on the left use terms they do to connect the NRA more to a certain political stand point than what it actually is. To me and my wife the NRA is one of the strongest bastions "we" have "as Americans" aligned with the constitution outside of general politics. I am a dem and a proud member. I'm sorry, I don't usually comment on these boards but felt it needed to be said. Our family sends prayers as well as thoughts out to the childs family and friends of the family.

[madasabull]

It was an accident for sure, and the father will have to live with that horror for the rest of his life. At the same time, it is not ok for the dad to be of the legal hook. Playing around with a real gun in front of his young son was stupid to say the least, and clearly shows this man was a wrong, is an idiot, and should be punished by the law to the fullest.

[stan45233]

Ok, gun nuts. Tell us how if only the 7-year-old had been armed, then he would still be alive.

[Think4times]

Even if it was an accident, there is a crime committed here.

I think it would fall under reckless endangerment somehow.

Without any intent of ridiculing the father, why was a gun able to be discharged so easily in the car? Isn't there supposed to be a 4 or 5 step operation in order to make your gun fire-able when you keep it in your car?

Gun and clip in 2 separate places...
Clip needs to be loaded...
Clip needs to be inserted...
Safety gets turned off...

I don't own a gun and don't know the "rules" of ownership, but I have heard about this rule before.

[nestaley]

Not enough information in the story but something doesn't add up or this man was about the most irresponsible person in the world. You may feel sorry for him and say he has to live with it but the 7 year old doesn't get that chance.

[shadander]

yes it was a terrible accident no doubt. doesn't seem like that style of gun was capable of some sort of miss-fire. probably had forefinger on trigger as opposed to outstretched. i mean REALLY, with tot in passenger seat? complete negligence!

[LosAngelesCA]

I am so sad for this family. It's an accident but it's a fatal accident. Just yesterday my friend was telling me her 10 year old grandson received a hunting rifle as a gift. You can't undo fatal accidents. Be careful with these guns. This kid is dead and you can't bring him back to life. All because of a stupid gun.

[elliesamericana]

Hunting rifle for a 10 year old is NOT an appropriate gift. When will the nation learn that guns in the hands of incompetents should not be allowed? So often, in gun deaths/injuries, the victim is innocent. Nothing exemplifies this more than this 7 year old who thought he was "safe" with his father until he died. Respectfully, retired US Army Medical Officer.

[skeezix06]

I have to agree with Ellie. I don't think I've ever met a 10 year old who had enough common sense and self control to be safe with a rifle.

[LosAngelesCA]

I am so sad for this family. It's an accident but it's a fatal accident. Just yesterday my friend was telling me her 10 year old grandson received a hunting rifle as a gift. You can't undo fatal accidents. Be careful with these guns. This kid is dead and you can't bring him back to life. All because of a stupid gun.

[tvwatcher5345]

guns don't kill, booster seats do

[northpark2]

What a horrible feeling. Not a gun owner, but its obvious someone didnt check something. I believe gun owners take safety seriously.