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The boy who was critically injured after he was shot in the head with an air rifle is now in a stable condition a Wellington Hospital spokeswoman said today.
The Feilding boy underwent surgery yesterday to relieve pressure on his brain after his friend accidentally shot him through the eye socket, the pellet lodging in the brain.
The pair had been playing with the gun in Cheltenham, near Feilding, when it failed to discharge properly.
While checking the rifle, one boy pulled the trigger and the rifle went off.
The injured boy's family issued a statement yesterday saying they did not hold his friend responsible for his injury.
"This is a tragedy and there is no-one to blame. It's just boys being boys. Our hearts go out to the other family," it said.
- NZPA
