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11-year-old injured in BB gun incident

 
Published Nov. 14, 2001|Updated Sept. 10, 2005

An 11-year-old boy was hospitalized Saturday after his 10-year-old friend accidentally shot him with a BB gun.

Ronda Hemminger Evan, a spokeswoman for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, said the boys were using the BB gun to shoot cans outside the Dunnellon residence of the 10-year-old about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The boys' names were withheld because of their ages.

The 10-year-old's grandfather, Arthur Bollinger, 65, told the boys to put the gun away because he had errands to run. The 10-year-old placed the gun on the kitchen table and it discharged, hitting the 11-year-old in the neck, Evan said.

The 11-year-old was taken to Seven Rivers Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

No charges are pending, Evan said.

In other news:

DRUG BUY GOES BAD: A man who told authorities he was trying to buy drugs early Sunday morning said he was held up by a knife-wielding man who jumped into his car in Crystal River.

The man, who did not give his name, told deputies he was trying to buy marijuana at the corner of Balloon Lane and Carleen Terrace about 12:30 a.m. when a man known to him only as "Fat Boy" climbed into his Camaro and brandished a knife, said Ronda Hemminger Evan.

A complete description of the robber was unavailable Tuesday.

The victim attempted to grab the knife from the man and cut his hand. He threw the Camaro into reverse, then into drive, leaving a 13-inch gash in the car's side, Evan said.

The robber leaned over and turned off the ignition. Both men ran from the vehicle, leaving it with the doors open and headlights on, Evan said.

The victim later reported the incident to deputies, who are investigating the case, Evan said.

ROBBERY AT KNIFEPOINT: Authorities are searching for a man who robbed a Beverly Hills resident at knifepoint outside the Winn-Dixie store early Saturday morning.

John Patrick Nichols, 21, told investigators he was standing outside the grocery store, 3565 N Lecanto Highway, about 2:30 a.m. Saturday when he was approached by a 6-foot white male with brown hair and brown eyes.

After talking for about five minutes, the man pulled out what appeared to be a homemade knife and demanded money, said Ronda Hemminger Evan, a spokeswoman for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.

Nichols used his bicycle to fend off the man, then pedaled away from the store.

Evan said investigators were working with Nichols on Tuesday to identify possible suspects.

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