Perry Police Investigating ‘Accidental’ Shooting Of 13-Year-Old

A 13-year-old is expected to survive after an accidental shooting Friday, according to Perry police. 

“When we arrived, we found a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old at the residence. The 13-year-old had suffered a gunshot wound,” Lt. Andrew Dudrey said. 

The child was struck in the “lower face and neck area” by a shotgun blast. The police report will be complete in the coming days, Dudrey said. District Attorney Brian Hermanson will decide whether to file criminal charges. 

Although the shooting itself was an accident, Dudrey said criminal charges are possible. 

“It definitely was an unfortunate incident; however, I think there are some contributing factors that very well could…result in criminal charges. But as far as the way the incident itself took place, it was, indeed, purely an accident,” Dudrey said. 

He added everyone involved in the shooting is cooperating with the investigation. No arrests have been made as of Tuesday evening. 

“She needs to know how much we love her,” said Janet Criswell, the victim’s grandmother. “It should have never happened.” 

The 13-year-old is recovering in an Oklahoma City hospital under intensive care.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services will work with police moving forward in the investigation, according to a department spokesperson.