A 13-year-old Massachusetts boy was expected to be arraigned in juvenile court on Tuesday after police say he shot a 12-year-old following a possible dispute on Facebook.
Police said the shooting happened at about 12:15 p.m. Monday in the area of 100 Highstone St. after the teen was confronted by a group of juveniles at his home in Taunton.
Taunton Police Lt. Paul Roderick says the teen retrieved a .22 long rifle registered to his mother from a locked safe and shot the 12-year-old in a nearby wooded area.
Roderick said the bullet went through the boy's arm before becoming lodged in his rib cage. He is currently in stable condition at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
The suspect ran home after the shooting and locked himself inside. Police arrived shortly after and surrounded the home.
Police said they are looking at messaging between the two boys on Facebook that may constitute bullying.
Neither boy has been identified due to their ages.
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The teen has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and discharging a weapon within 500 feet of a dwelling. He is being held by the Department for Children, Youth and Families.
