Police officer tries to shoot a snake - hits a 5-year-old boy instead
Jack Tracy said he was fishing with his 5-year-old grandson, Austin Haley, Friday night when he saw the first shot hit the water near where they were standing. As he pulled his grandson to his side, he said, a second shot hit the boy in the head.
According to Noble City Manager Bob Wade, two officers were investigating a call from a family about a snake. Wade said it was in a rural, wooded and isolated area near a pond with no houses.
Officers shot at the snake but then heard Austin screaming. He was taken to an area hospital where he died.
He said the incident was under investigation and that Noble's mayor and city attorney had been notified.
"All I can say is that this is extremely tragic," he said. "We are just devastated."
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