MARGARETTSVILLE – An investigation is ongoing, but it is believed that a shooting near here Thursday evening that sent one local teen to the hospital was accidental in nature.

Captain Chuck Hasty of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a residence on Mount Carmel Road at 9 p.m. Thursday. The responding officers – Sgt. Jimmy Pair along with Deputies Chris Collier and Matthew Walton – learned that the victim, a 14-year-old male, had been transported to Halifax Regional Medical Center (HRMC) in Roanoke Rapids by private vehicle.

Hasty said the deputies secured the scene and began interviewing people at the residence. Meanwhile, Hasty and NCSO Investigator Courtney Williams responded to the hospital.

“The preliminary investigation by investigators and deputies suggested that this may have been an accident,” Hasty said.

He added that another male, a 16-year-old who is related to the victim, was present in the same room at the time of the shooting, which involved a small caliber handgun. Hasty said the victim was struck in the chest by the bullet.

The juvenile victim was flown from HRMC to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville for treatment of his injuries.  Hasty said the juvenile is listed in stable condition as of 8:25 a.m. Friday.

The incident is still under investigation at this time.

“The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that gun safety is very important and that we are required by law to restrict access for juveniles to guns.  We also offer free gun locks to the citizens, just stop by the sheriff’s office to pick one or two up,” said Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith.