Man Holds Knife to Nephew's Chest, Shoots Him With BB Gun, Police Say

A Calverton Park man is accused of holding a knife up to his nephew’s chest and shooting him with a pellet gun.

Richard Triplett, 24, of the first block of Vierling Drive in Calverton Park, was charged July 4 with endangering the welfare of a child.

Calverton Park Police said Triplett’s nephew was visiting his home July 3. When Triplett became aggravated with the boy, he held a knife to the boy’s chest, police said. After he grew further aggravated, Triplett shot the boy in the chest with a pellet gun, according to police.

The boy’s sister witnessed the event, police said.

Triplett is being held in St. Louis County jail. Bail was set at $15,000.