Man Arrested For Shooting 8-Year-Old In Chester County
By Cherri Gregg, Matt Rivers
NORTH COVENTRY TWP. Pa. (CBS) - Police arrested a Chester County man Saturday for allegedly firing the shot that struck an eight-year-boy while he was riding his bicycle nearby.
Police say 55-year-old Wayne Snowden randomly fired his gun while on his porch on Hanover Street in North Coventry Township, Chester County Friday afternoon (see related story). Authorities say the bullet traveled about a quarter of a mile to West Main Street near Coyne Alley, striking the young victim in his left thigh.
Snowden is charged with aggravated assault and other crimes.
Police quickly identified Snowden as a person of interest when they arrived on the scene Friday and found two handguns in his house.
Neighbor Paul Fry told CBS3 Eyewitness News the young boy was in shock:
"The young boy that was with him told me that he turned around, he heard the noise, turned around and saw him fall over."
The victim was taken by helicopter to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He was released on Saturday and is expected to make a full recovery.
Chester County DA Tom Hogan released a statement on Friday calling Snowden's actions "reckless" and says "the right to own firearms includes the responsibility to handle firearms safely."
Police say the boy was not specifically targeted by Snowden, but it is unknown at this time why he fired the gun in the first place.
