By Mike McCombs
The Island News
PORT ROYAL – A 12-year-old girl was accidentally shot in the chest by her 15-year-old cousin with a 9mm pistol Monday night in Port Royal.
At 10:55 p.m.. Monday, Port Royal Police officers responded to Shell Point Apartments for a report of a gunshot victim. According to police, upon arrival, officers learned that a 12-year-old juvenile victim had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and had been taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) by a civilian. The victim was later transported to Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston for further treatment.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the girl remained in stable condition at MUSC, according to Capt. John Griffith, spokesperson for the Port Royal Police Department.
“We have not received any updates today,” Griffith said.
According to Griffith, during their investigation, officers and investigators learned that the victim’s cousin, a 15-year-old juvenile, had accidentally shot the victim while in the apartment, where they both lived. She was shot a single time in the chest with a 9mm pistol, according to Griffith,
Investigators believe the shooting was an accident.
“Yes, at this time, we’ve found nothing to suggest otherwise,” Griffith said.
Griffith said a civilian not involved in the situation drove both juveniles to the hospital.
Two firearms were subsequently recovered and seized as part of the investigation.
“At this time, we’re still trying to ascertain who the owners of the gun were,” Griffith said.
The 15-year-old juvenile has been petitioned to family court for Possession of a Firearm by a Person under 18.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
