Relatives charged after boy killed in Australia shooting accident

Relatives of a nine-year-old boy who was killed by an accidental gunshot in Australia have been charged over his death.

Paramedics treated the child for serious neck injuries at a farm in Windellama – near Goulburn in New South Wales (NSW) – on Sunday, following reports of a shooting. The boy died at the scene.

Local police have since arrested two people, including a 14-year-old, and charged them with unauthorised firearm offences.

An investigation into the incident is underway. It is not known what relation the family members had to the child.

“It’s rare to hear one shot here,” Ron Wenban, who lives near the farm with his partner, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

“To have a gunshot like that happen, that was a concern, neither of us wanted to go over there.”

Mr Wenban said the family were based in Sydney and had bought the property as a holiday home.

Both of the relatives who were arrested will appear before court in May, with the teen attending the NSW Children’s Court.

The man was charged with allowing an unauthorised person to possess a firearm, as well as not keeping a firearm safely, while the teenager was charged with unauthorised possession.

The teen has been granted bail.