FANNETT, Texas — A 15-year-old boy is recovering from a gunshot wound after investigators say his rifle went off while riding a side-by-side UTV.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office tells 12News this was an accident.
Crystal Holmes, with the Sheriff's Office, says the teenager was fishing near a pong on a relative's property when a dog jumped on the 4-wheeler.
"Initial reports indicate he was out by the pond, he had the dog out there on the Mule. He had his .22 rifle on the mule," Holmes said. "Another dog jumped up there, caused it to fall over and he was struck."
The dog ended up knocking over a .22 caliber rifle, which the boy had with him, and caused it to discharge.
Holmes says the gun fired once into the teen's stomach, but despite his injury the 15-year-old was able to use his cell phone and call 911.
It happened around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday on the 19000 block of Burnell-Wingate Road in Fannett.
The boy was transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition.
His name is not being released at this time and is expected to survive.
This accidental shooting follows two other cases, involving teens in Southeast Texas in December.
One, ended tragically, when 15-year-old James Johnson of Buna died on Christmas day.
The other accidental shooting injured a boy in Vidor.
Last month, 12News spoke with Jefferson County deputy Danny Walker about guns, when it comes to kids.
"The first rule of gun safety to me is every gun is loaded," Walker said.
He says children who have access to pistols or rifles need to treat them with respect and learn the dangers.
From a Jefferson County Sheriff's Office news release:
This afternoon, 02/04/2020, at 3:48 p.m., Deputies responded to a 911 call in reference to an accidental shooting in the 19000 block of Burrell-Wingate in Fannett.
A 15 year old male advised that he had been out near a pond on family property when a dog jumped up onto his ATV knocking over his 22 rifle causing it to discharge. The bullet struck the teen causing a non-life threatening injury. The teen was able to use his cell phone to call for assistance.
He was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition.