Grandfather Faces Gun Charges

Officials have filed a disorderly persons charge against a Penns Grove, N.J., man whose 8-year-old grandson was killed while playing with the grandfather's gun.

Christian Lewis (pictured) and two of his cousins were at Mitchell Lewis' home earlier this month when the child was accidentally shot to death at point-blank range.

Prosecutor John Lenahan said Monday the grandfather is being charged with violating a state law that requires loaded weapons be kept out of the reach of minors.

Disorderly persons charges are handled in municipal court.

"He was one of the fastest runners on the team," said Leah Lewis, the victim's aunt. "He made the newspapers."

Christian, a child everyone called Dean, had gone upstairs with two cousins to play. Family members said that's where the boys found the handgun.

Police said the 12-year-old cousin accidentally pulled the trigger.

"A lot of people look at it as being a tragedy, and don't think it will happen to them," said Leah Lewis. "To hear it on the news. They read it in the newspaper. But when it hit close to home, that's when reality sinks in."

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