Overview
- Shillington police were called to a home on the 300 block of State Street around 11:13–11:15 p.m. Tuesday for a reported shooting.
- The 53-year-old man told officers he was cleaning a shotgun and set it on his bed before a dog jumped up and the gun fired into his lower back.
- He was transported to Reading Hospital, underwent surgery, and was expected to need an additional operation, according to police.
- The victim’s son was in the home but in a different room and was not injured, authorities said.
- Investigators say the shooting appears accidental and they are using the case to stress core firearm-safety practices while the inquiry continues.