Boy, 11, Recovering in Hospital After Father Accidentally Shoots Him

An 11-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital after his father accidentally fired his gun in Monroe on Sunday, striking his son in the cheek and the state's attorney will be determining whether charges will be filed.

Monroe police responded to Partridge Drive in Monroe at 3:34 p.m. on Sunday after a resident called 911 and reported that he accidentally fired his 9-millimeter handgun while he was securing it. The bullet went through a wall and struck his 11-year-old son in the cheek, police said.

No one else in the home was injured, according to police.

The father, identified as Vincent Pizzolato, was shaken up after the accident, according to Monroe police. Pizzolato has not been charged.

"He was putting his weapon away in a safe," Captain Michael Flick, of  Monroe Police, said. "Didn't realize he had a live round in the chamber."

There was no answer at the door of the Pizzolato home when NBC Connecticut went to the family's home on Monday.

"Very emotional, as one would expect someone to be in that scenario," Lt. Keith White, of the Monroe Police Department, said.

The boy sustained substantial, but non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

An ambulance transported the boy to Bridgeport Hospital and he has since been moved to Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is expected to be OK.

 Police have not released the name of his son.

Detectives are investigating and evidence will be given to the office of the State's Attorney.

The state Department of Children and Families was also notified, which is standard practice.

Contact Us