Christopher Stanlane, 34, was wiping down the loaded weapon at his home in Fairmont, North Carolina, Sunday when it discharged. The bullet hit his 10-year-old son Christopher Stanlane Jr, who was watching television, in the back of the head.
Realizing what he'd done, Stanlane Sr. dropped the gun and took his eight-year-old daughter to another room. His wife, who was cooking in the kitchen, called 911. Paramedics arrived but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Robert Simmons, the boy's uncle, told Carolinalive.com the boy's parents were "in shock, trying to come to terms with what happened.""I don't think he meant to hold it in that direction. There must've been a bullet lodged in the chamber and it fired and hit him," added Simmons.
Captain Anthony Thompson said no charges have so far been filed in the case, but that Robeson County District Attorney will ultimately decide the father's fate.
