Gun Used In Accidental Shooting Considered Stolen, Investigation Ongoing

The firearm connected to an accidental discharge that sent one Fair Oaks 17-year-old boy to the hospital Tuesday night is now being considered stolen, said Sacramento County Sheriff’s representative, Jason Ramos.

According to Sac County Sheriff’s reports, the handgun used in connection with the accidental shooting was taken in a residential burglary earlier in the day. The burglarized home was not too far from the scene of the accident, but Sheriff's officials could not disclose the exact address.

“Investigation into fingerprints and trying to implicate someone in that (robbery) are pending,” said Ramos. “That will dictate which, if any, charges are filed.”

The shooting occurred at about 9 p.m. Tuesday night on the 5600 block of Ritz Way. It is now being described as an accidental shooting, inflicted by a known acquaintance of the victim, said Ramos.

Ramos explained the statements collected from the victim match the reports filed by the other teens involved in the shooting.

“The consistent statements are that this was truly an accident,” said Ramos.

Two additional weapons were collected from the scene of the accident and may have been the property of the victim. The additional weapons collected were originally thought to be low-caliber rifles, but are now being described as pellet guns, Ramos said in an emailed response.

The victim is still recovering at Mercy San Juan Medical Center, according to Ramos, having suffered a serious gunshot wound to the chest, although it is not considered life threatening.

Reports gathered indicate the boys were likely passing the .357 revolver around when the gun accidentally discharged one round. Sheriff deputies later found the gun hidden in bushes next to the property, wrapped in a white T-shirt. The additional weapons were found soon after nearby as well.

The case has been turned over to the Sheriff’s detective unit, said Ramos, and will then be turned over to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office once the investigation is complete.

“We should be done with our investigation in the next week or so,” said Ramos.