SYRACUSE, NY – A 17-year-old boy is facing charges after allegedly shooting two teen boys in Syracuse on Thursday night. The incident took place in the 100 block of Hoefler Street late in the evening, as reported by Syracuse police spokesperson Kieran Coffey.
One of the victims, a 15-year-old boy, was shot in the stomach, while the other victim, a 17-year-old boy, was shot in the arm. Both were transported to Upstate University Hospital and are currently in stable condition. A 17-year-old boy, separate from the victims, has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
According to Onondaga County assistant district attorney Patrick Blood, the teenager who fired the gun claims the shootings were accidental and that he was unaware that the gun was loaded. However, conflicting accounts from witnesses and evidence at the scene raise doubts about the accidental nature of the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. The suspect has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, as well as second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.
Law enforcement has not disclosed whether the shooting occurred inside a residence or outdoors. The scene was secured by police officers and a crime scene van was visible outside the home at 118 Hoefler St.
Anyone with relevant information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Syracuse police at (315) 442-5222.