A 5-year-old boy shot his 4-year-old pal in the chest with a flare gun -- a shocking accident that sent the younger child to the hospital, authorities said.
The children were playing on the front steps of a home on Lander Street in Newburgh late yesterday afternoon. Disaster struck just before 6:30 p.m. when the 5-year-old somehow gained possession of a flare gun and shot the 4-year-old child in the chest and arm.
Fortunately, family members were there to scoop up their beleaguered kin and brought him to St. Luke's Hospital, where he was treated for burns to his chest and left bicep.
Cops found out the 5-year-old shooter obtained the gun from a friend of his father, who used to work at a marina. The friend, who lives nearby the scene of the shooting, allegedly kept the weapon in the top of his closet.
The tot sustained non life-threatening injuries. Cops reached out to Child Protective Services. No arrests have been made at this time.
