Babysitter, 17, Charged In St. Pete Boy's Shooting

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Police Department is investigating a Monday morning shooting that left a 10-year-old boy seriously injured.

According to the agency, officers were called to the 2300 block of 17th Avenue South around 10:35 a.m. May 29. When they arrived, they found the 10-year-old suffering from serious injuries. The boy was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Police say the boy, identified as Dontae Bryant Jr., was shot in the arm and shoulder by an 11-year-old who was also at the home. A 17-year-old boy was tasked with "watching several children at the home when this occurred," a Monday afternoon email from police said. The teen has since been charged with aggravated child abuse, police said.

The 11-year-old boy has not been identified by police. Authorities say the child "thought the gun was not loaded and was fooling around with it." The gun went off, striking Bryant. Police say the 17-year-old brought the gun into the home.

Police say Bryant was last listed in stable condition.

Further information is not yet available.

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