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Burke County pastor charged more than a month after child accidentally shoots younger brother

Adam Vines is facing a weapons charge after the incident happened in October 2023.

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — More than a month after a 2-year-old boy was accidentally shot by his older brother, the Burke County Sheriff's Office has charged their father with a misdemeanor weapons offense.

A criminal summons served Monday from the sheriff's office alleges that Adam Vines, a pastor at River Valley Baptist Church west of Morganton, did not properly secure the gun that his 3-year-old child got ahold of on Oct. 15, 2023. 2-year-old Daniel Vines was shot in the head and required extensive treatment in the hospital.

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The sheriff's office said the shooting happened in the church parking lot, and that Daniel Vines needed to be flown to Charlotte via helicopter for treatment. Adam Vines confirmed to WCNC Charlotte his 3-year-old son had found the gun in their van and accidentally fired it.

The pastor said on Nov. 13 Daniel Vines was expected to be brought home within three weeks and that the boy had made progress in his recovery.

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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.

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