Suffolk, Virginia

From Hampton Roads’ WAVY.com of January 18, 2006

Police: Suffolk Man Accidentally Shoots Five-Year-Old Son

Suffolk police are investigating after they say a father accidentally shot his five-year old son early Wednesday morning.

Officials say the man, hearing noises, thought an intruder was breaking in the family's home on Mill Pond Court just after 1:00 a.m. He called police to report the incident.

Before police arrived, the father was unloading his gun to put it away, when he accidentally shot his son. Police say the gun was a 9mm.

Police think siding ripped off and banging against the house by the severe weather that rolled through Hampton Roads was the source of the noise.

The boy was shot in the hip, and the same bullet hit his hand as well. He was rushed to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to by [sic] okay.

Police say the shooting appears accidental, but the father may face a charge of reckless handling of firearm.

The incident remains under investigation.