CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A teenage boy was shot in the chest while he and another teen played with a gun Wednesday night.
At about 6:30 p.m., Clarksville Police received a 911 call about someone who was shot in the chest and walking down McGraw Street, according to police spokesman Scott Beaubien.
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When officers arrived on McGraw, which is off of Greenwood Avenue, they found a 16-year-old who had a gunshot wound to his upper abdomen. He was conscious and breathing, and first responders were able to control the bleeding. He was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by LifeFlight helicopter and was in stable condition on Thursday.
Officers were initially told a Nissan Altima had left the scene after the shooting. Officers canvassed the area and made contact with an adult and a 17-year-old juvenile in the Oakdale Drive/McGraw area. They were both taken to District 2 Criminal Investigations to be interviewed. Eventually, the juvenile admitted to Detective Headley that the two juveniles were walking down the road playing with a gun, passing it back and forth, when it discharged, striking the 16-year-old in the chest, Beaubien said.
The firearm was recovered and officers discovered it had been reported stolen a few years ago. The information about the Nissan Altima was made up to try to cover up what actually happened, Beaubien said.
The 17-year-old was charged with theft of the firearm and the unlawful carrying of a firearm.
Anyone with information or additional video footage is asked to contact Detective Headley at 931-648-0656, ext. 5683.