A Florida homeowner who thought he was being attacked allegedly fired a gun and wounded a 10-year-old boy whose father drove him to a drive-by shooting with a paintball gun, authorities said.
His father, 26-year-old Michael Williams, allegedly told Opa-locka police his son asked him to drive by a home where people were gathered Sunday evening so he could shoot his paintball gun out the window, authorities told the Miami Herald.
Williams allegedly drove the vehicle while his son brandished the paintball gun and fired at some neighbors and a home, according to a police report obtained by the Washington Examiner.
The homeowner confused the paintball gun for real gunfire, telling police he thought his family was being attacked, the police report said. He allegedly fired a single bullet that struck the boy.
INFANT AND TWO OTHERS KILLED IN MEMORIAL DAY SHOOTING AT LOUISIANA POOL
While some witnesses said the paintball gunfire was coming from inside the car, Williams disputed the claims, saying, “My son was already on the ground,” according to WSVN.
After the boy was struck, he lost his balance and was run over by his father’s vehicle, the Miami Herald reported.
The boy was taken to a hospital for treatment, though authorities have not released further information about his condition.
Williams was reportedly charged with child neglect with great bodily harm, though no charges are listed on the report obtained by the Washington Examiner. He was listed as a suspect in the investigation.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
It is not clear if Williams has an attorney or when he is due in court.
