9-year-old Ariz. boy, struck by richoceted bullet, dies

TONOPAH, Ariz. - A 9-year-old Arizona boy died Thursday after being struck in the neck by a ricocheted bullet while hunting with a group in the desert, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.

The boy was shot early Wednesday morning as he and four others were in the dry Hassayampa River bottom about two miles from his home, Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputy Joaquin Enriquez said. Two adults, ages 22 and 20, the boy's 15-year-old sister and another 15-year-old were shooting or hunting when the victim was struck.

They immediately drove him back to his home and called 911 about 5 a.m., Enriquez said. The boy was flown to Phoenix Children's Hospital in "very, very critical condition," Enriquez said. The sheriff's office did not release the identities of anyone involved in the incident, although Enriquez said that deputies interviewed all parties and their stories appeared to match.

Enriquez said the wound was caused by a round fired from a handgun, but who fired the gun was not immediately clear.