This is a follow-up to last month’s “Pastor’s 3-Year-Old Son Shoots 2-Year-Old Brother in the Head in Church Parking Lot”
DATELINE: MORGANTON, N.C. — A pastor has been charged after his son was “accidentally” shot in the head in a church parking lot in October. The 2-year-old was “accidentally” shot by his sibling after the child got a hold of the weapon that was in the back of the pastor’s van, he previously said.
Adam Vines has been charged with a misdemeanor weapons offense, the Burke County Clerk of Court confirmed. According to the criminal summons, the firearm was stored or “left in a condition that the firearm could be discharged and the defendant knew or should have known that the minor would be able to gain access to the firearm.”
On Tuesday, Vines said his son, Daniel, is “doing wonderful” and is just so thankful to be home. He added that the situation could have been worse, “but the Lord watched over us all. As far as the charge is concerned all I can say is To God be the glory,” Vines said.
The criminal summons cites North Carolina law that requires anyone who has a firearm and lives with a minor to ensure it can’t be accessed by the minor. Failure to do so is deemed a Class 1 misdemeanor. If Vines is found guilty, he could face up to 45 days of community punishment under state law. A search of North Carolina records indicates he does not have prior convictions.
