By Dan Sullivan, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, March 17, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG — A 16-year-old boy was hospitalized Saturday afternoon after his 9-year-old cousin accidentally shot him in the neck at his home in north St. Petersburg, police said.
Anas Jaber, of 817 85th Ave. N, was playing video games in his home about 3 p.m. when he noticed that his cousin was pointing a gun at him, police said. Jaber raised his left hand and told his cousin to put the gun down when it went off.
A bullet passed through Jaber's hand and went into his neck, officials said. He was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in non-life threatening condition.
Jaber initially told officers that he was the victim of a drive-by shooting, but later admitted it was an accident, police said. He said he initially lied because he didn't want his cousin or anyone else to get into trouble.
Police confiscated two rifles from the residence. Investigators are trying to determine who owns the guns and if criminal charges should be filed. The investigation is ongoing.