Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 24, 2007

CAPE DORSET - A firearms incident in Cape Dorset on Sept. 16 left one 13-year-old boy in hospital with a bullet wound, and another 13-year-old boy facing charges.

The two boys were in a home and found a firearm, not securely stored, according to the RCMP. The firearm was discharged and one of the boys was struck in the head. He was medevaced to Iqaluit and then to the Children's Hospital in Ottawa, where he remains in stable condition. His injuries are not considered life threatening.

The other youth appeared before a justice of the peace and was released with extensive conditions. He is now back in school. He has been charged with pointing a firearm and careless use of a firearm.

"They're still waiting to interview the victim," said RCMP Sgt. Mike Toohey, of the investigation team. "There may be additional charges pending, based on the interview."

"Everybody seems to be doing all right," Cape Dorset Mayor Fred Schell said of the mood in the community, five days after the incident.

"He's lucky," Schell said of the victim. "Another inch lower and that would've been it."

The mayor can't remember a time that an incident such as this has occurred in the town, but said accidental shootings have happened on the land. The community had been trying to get gun safety training into the schools before the incident happened. This type of training has been offered in the past.

"There's lots of speculation about what happened," Schell said, but wouldn't comment further on the incident as the investigation is ongoing.

"It's an unfortunate situation and hopefully they learn from it."

Two members from the Nunavut General Investigation Section from Iqaluit and one from the Forensic Investigation Section were in Cape Dorset until Sept. 18.