A licensed firearm holder from Cassia Park, St Andrew, is in police custody following an incident in which an 11-year-old boy was shot in the back. The lad is in hospital.

Information reaching THE STAR is that sometime between 3:30 and 4 p.m. last Friday, the chap and two of his friends were in the Cassia Park gully, close to Zaidie Gardens, hunting for birds. It is said that the boys climbed on to a wall in pursuit of a catch when a woman in that yard warned them to be careful in whatever they were doing as there was a vehicle on the property.

The Star learnt that shortly afterwards, the woman went into the house and the firearm holder came out, gun in hand. Shots were fired at the boys.

The youngsters jumped from the wall and ran off into the gully while shots were still being fired. During the sprint, the 11-year-old fell to the ground. It is reported that his two friends turned back to his rescue and brought him to the roadway after realising that he was shot. The boy was then rushed off to hospital.

Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, head of the St Andrew Central Division, confirmed the shooting. Knight could not access the facts of the case but said the firearm holder, a man who appears to be in his 60s, is in custody.

"He is not charged as yet," Knight said. "A question and answer session is to be done and we will move forward from there."

The injured child's mother was tallying her blessings but hoping the injury will not have any long term effects on her only offspring.

"Sometimes these things don't act up right away, they pop up down the line. So, I'm worried about that," she said. "He is just 11. I want justice for my son. He is my only child, although I'm glad he is alive I am not just going to sweep this under the carpet."