Boy, 14, shot in face with metal pellet

NO TOY: The BB gun that fired the pellet is capable of causing serious injury.

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A schoolboy has been shot in the temple by a gas-powered BB gun at a Wellington College sports day.

A round metal pellet, which missed blinding the year 10 pupil by centimetres yesterday, was later dug out of his head at Wellington Hospital's accident and emergency ward.

Two of his Wellington College schoolmates have been referred by police to Wellington Youth Aid Services for unlawfully using an airgun.

The pair also allegedly fired at least two pellets through a window of the Zoo Park Dairy – an act being treated as intentional damage.

The semi-automatic, 15-shot Gamo PX-107 airgun – seized by police – was taken to the sports day by a third pupil who may yet be referred to youth services.

The injured 14-year-old was recovering at home last night.

His ordeal started about 11am when he was crossing the road with a friend after buying lollies at the dairy. He felt something smack into his head.

"I thought I had been hit with a rock," he said. "It was like the worst headache ever."

By the time he got back to Newtown Park to tell his teachers about the incident, he had blood dripping down his face. "I got quite panicky."

He was taken to hospital, where a 4.5mm calibre pellet was removed from his temple.

He missed the chance to compete in sprinting races, which were part of the school's process to select its McEvedy Shield athletics team. "I was a reserve last year and I really want it this year."

The boy's father was happy with the speedy response from police and Wellington College, which he said meant the shooters "won't get away with it".

"The first thing they should be taught is never aim a toy gun, or a gun, at anyone."

Sergeant Lee Greedus said the shooting had the potential to be much worse.

"We were extremely lucky that we aren't dealing with a young boy who was permanently maimed. We are talking only a couple of centimetres to him losing an eye."

Wellington College headmaster Roger Moses said the school also planned to deal with the alleged culprits but had not yet decided what action would be taken.

"It is obviously not a good thing to happen but we need to use the incident positively. The reality is these kids have to understand that BB guns are not toys."

Mr Moses said the last reported BB gun incident at the school was about 12 years ago.

Zoo Park Dairy worker Didi Dayal, whose father owns the shop, said the window needed replacing. "The kids are already putting their fingers through the holes, so we need to do it soon."

- © Fairfax NZ News