Chapecó teenager critically injured by accidental gunshot

A teenager was critically injured after being shot in the head during a gathering of friends in the Efapi neighborhood of Chapecó, Santa Catarina. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when a youth, aged 13 or 14, handled a pistol belonging to his father, believing the weapon was unloaded.

A round remained in the chamber, causing the firearm to discharge. The shot struck the teenager in the forehead and exited through the back of the head. Emergency responders, including SAMU and aeromedical services, performed emergency intubation and blood transfusions at the scene to treat severe hemorrhagic shock before transporting him to the Hospital Regional do Oeste.

Police recovered the pistol, which had been hidden under a blanket, along with a carbine and various munitions at the residence. The 52-year-old owner of the weapons was taken to the police station. Authorities have registered the occurrence as an infraction analogous to attempted homicide and omission of caution in the custody of a firearm.