A 60-year-old grandfather has been charged with bodily harm after he is alleged to have accidentally shot his daughter and four-year-old son with a .22 rifle.
The alleged incident occurred on Saturday night, November 18 at Hofoa.
Matangi Tonga reports the accused called police for assistance regarding his son who was reportedly drunk and causing disturbance at home.
While waiting for a police response, the accused got out his rifle allegedly when his son got aggressive towards him. It is alleged that as he placed the rifle on a table, he did not know it was loaded but the gun went off unintentionally injuring his daughter (30) and grandson on their shins (the front part of the leg from the knee to the angle), said a police spokesperson today. The shooting happened at around 11:00pm.
Both victims are in Vaiola hospital and doctors had confirmed their injuries were not life threatening, she said.
The rifle is registered to the accused who remains in custody.