PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A juvenile shot and critically wounded a 13-year-old boy over the weekend in an apparent accidental shooting in Port Orange, police confirmed on Monday.
The shooting happened just before 2 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Creekwater Boulevard.
The family identified the boy as Nathaniel Green and posted a GoFundMe account to help with his medical bills.
“My 13 year old son was accidentally shot while at a friend’s house. He had his whole life ahead of him. He just joined the football team and was supposed to play in his first game (over the weekend),” the family posted, adding that Nathaniel does not have feeling in this legs and may never walk again.
Green’s grandparents told News 6 that he was airlifted to Orlando Health from Volusia County due to the severity of his injuries.
They said Nathaniel and a friend were playing with a gun when it went off, striking Nathaniel in the neck. The bullet struck his spinal cord and throat, his grandparents said.
“We told them over and over and over and over again do not go near a gun,” said Nathaniel’s grandmother, Elizabeth Green. “They do anyways and this is what happens.”
The family said Nathaniel will likely have to undergo several surgeries.
“Stop and hug your kids. Tell them how you feel. Stop what you’re doing and do that,” said Daniel Green, Nathaniel’s grandfather.
Police told News 6 that that the gun was not registered or purchased by the juvenile’s parents, but no other details have been released. No charges have been filed in the case.
An investigation is ongoing.
Note: This map depicts the general area of this scene and not necessarily its exact location.
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