ONEIDA (NBC 26) — Charles Skenandore, 32, says his 15-year-old nephew was shot in the midsection at his Oneida home on Onondaga Drive early Monday morning. Charles says at around 3 a.m. he drove his nephew to the hospital, where he then underwent surgery.
See the area where police are investigating and meet the family of the shooting victim in the video below:
Monday morning, a spokesperson for the Oneida Nation said two juveniles were involved in a shooting which appears to be accidental. The statement from the nation said there is a suspect in custody. NBC 26 asked the Oneida Nation for additional comment, and a spokesperson said no other information can be released.
According to the Oneida Police Department's Facebook page, the department is investigating an incident near the intersection of Onondaga Drive and Iriquios Drive. Police cars could be seen in the area. Officers on the scene Monday told NBC 26 they could not comment on the investigation.
"I guess that it was just a complete accident," Charles said Monday afternoon.
The victim's sister, Roxana Skenandore, 17, also spoke with NBC 26. Roxana says she was not at home, but with her grandparents when she got a call from her mom that her brother was in the hospital Monday morning.
"I was scared he was going to die, it was just really sad." Roxana said.
Roxana and Charles say they believe the shooting involved another teen in the neighborhood. However, they do not know where the gun came from or how it went off.
"This is not a violent neighborhood at all," Charles said. "Something like this don't happen like this around here."
Charles and Roxana say their family member is expected to survive his injuries.
"We know he's good, we know he's strong, we know he's going to pull through and come back home," Charles said.
