A 7-year-old child was flown to a trauma center after being shot in the leg inside a vehicle outside the Dollar General store in Oakwood on Oct. 1, according to Buchanan County Sheriff Allen W. Boyd.
In a statement released after the shooting, Boyd said a preliminary investigation found that the child retrieved a handgun while a parent was inside the store. The gun discharged, striking the child in the leg.
The sheriff’s office received a 911 call at about 9:11 p.m. Deputies were the first emergency responders to arrive and immediately provided medical assistance, applying a tourniquet to the child’s leg to control the bleeding.
Oakwood Fire and Rescue also responded, and MedFlight was called. The child was flown to the trauma center at Johnson City Medical Center for treatment. No update on the child’s condition was included in the statement.
Investigators determined that the parent had left the 7-year-old and two younger children in the vehicle while entering the store, according to Boyd.
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate and is withholding the names of those involved.
“Charges are anticipated as the investigation continues,” Boyd said in the statement.
The statement did not identify who could face charges or specify what charges might be filed.
