GRANITE FALLS – A family camping trip almost turned tragic Friday when a 19-year-old was accidentally shot by the gun he took from his parent’s house, Snohomish County sheriff’s officials said.
The victim was shot by his 14-year-old friend about 2:30 p.m. while both were hanging out in a tent near the Ice Caves on the Mountain Loop Highway, sheriff’s office spokeswoman Jan Jorgensen said.
The 19-year-old had taken two guns from his parent’s house before heading off on the camping trip with the 14-year-old friend and the boy’s parents. Neither the victim’s parents nor the boy’s parents knew the guns had been taken, Jorgensen said.
The gun that went off was a 25-caliber semi-automatic. The 14-year-old apparently fired the gun, and a single bullet hit the victim in the arm, went through his arm and into his neck.
The injured man was driven from the campground to Green Gables General Store, 32518 Mountain Loop Highway. He was met there by firefighters from Snohomish County Fire District 23 and a medic unit from Lake Stevens.
“He was very lucky he wasn’t hurt worse,” District 23 Chief Tim Bond said.
The victim was in serious condition Friday night at Providence Everett Medical Center Colby Campus and is expected to recover, Jorgensen said.
Jorgensen said the incident is a good lesson to keep guns secured.
“Guns are not to be played with,” Jorgensen said. “And guns are not allowed in a home if a child, no matter what the age, is able to get a hold of them. They need to be kept where children cannot get them and do harm to themselves or someone else.”
The guns were placed into evidence and the shooting is being investigated by the sheriff’s major crimes unit.
Assistant city editor Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3097 or goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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