STARKS, LOUISIANA — A man has been charged with aggravated assault and battery for shooting at children who were playing hide and seek near his home. One of the children, a 14-year-old girl, was struck by a bullet in the back of her head. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that the girl’s injuries were not life-threatening and she was taken to the hospital for treatment.

According to investigators, the children were hiding on the neighbor’s property when David Doyle, 58, spotted shadows outside his house. Mistakenly thinking they were intruders, Doyle grabbed his gun and fired shots as he saw people running away. Unfortunately, one of the bullets hit the young girl.

Doyle has been arrested and is facing charges of aggravated battery, four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, and illegal discharge of a firearm. It remains unknown whether Doyle has legal representation to speak on his behalf.

As gun owners, it is our responsibility to be mindful of the laws, and also be mindful of what we’re shooting at. If you aren’t certain of your target, such as a valid intruder, you should not be pulling that trigger.