Teen Arrested In Shooting That Wounded 5-Year-Old Boy In New Jersey
PLAINFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Attempted murder charges were filed Saturday against an 18-year-old man from North Plainfield, N.J., who allegedly opened fire on a Plainfield street and shot a 5-year-old boy in the face this week.
Jose Rodriguez was also hit with weapons charges stemming from the Thursday afternoon shooting, which wounded Jasir Gibbson near Plainfield Avenue and South Second Street around 4 p.m. Thursday. He was arrested early Saturday at a Piscataway home, and his bail had not been set as of Saturday afternoon.
The boy's mother, Shenta Ford, was walking with her son as the incident occurred. A grief-stricken Ford spoke with reporters, including CBS 2's John Slattery, and tried to explain what happened.
"He was walking from school, just wanted to get him a Reese's cup and they started shooting and I moved him," Ford tearfully said.
The stray bullet went through the boy's mouth and lodged in his throat, City Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig said.
The boy was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
Authorities said Jasir was not targeted in the shooting.
As of Saturday, he remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
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