A Mooresville man has been charged with failure to secure a firearm to protect a minor after an 8-year-old accidentally shot an 11-year old in the cheek.

David Layne Stewart, 36, of Peterborough Drive, was released on an unsecured bond. Two children, 11 and 8, were playing cops and robbers in the back yard, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, when the 8-year-old hid in an outbuilding. The boy found the rifle there and when the 11-year-old opened the door, the 8-year-old fired the rifle, hitting the other in the cheek.

The call came about 2:20 Sunday afternoon from Lake Norman Regional Medical Center emergency department. Deputy Dave Harding and Sgt. Chris Smith responded. The officers saw that the injury was minor to the right cheek, where it went in and out. Lake Norman Regional Medical Center transferred the child to Levine Children’s Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center to remove fragments in the wound.

Both juveniles’ parents were interviewed by deputies who found that the boys were playing in the back yard when the accidental shooting occurred.

Iredell County Detective’s Division was contacted and Sgt. Mike Benfield arrived and conducted interviews. It was found that the gun was stored in the storage area in a negligent manner.

Stewart is the homeowner.