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The Wake County Sheriff's Office said the boy and an 11-year-old girl, who police believe is a relative, were playing with the gun Friday night at a home on Fishing Court.
The 12-year-old was shot but his injury is non-life threatening. Police later ruled that the shooting was accidental.
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Neighbors living in the rural part of Wake County tell ABC11 that they are stunned.
"This is a quiet neighborhood, nothing like this has ever happened out here. This is the country," one resident said.
Amber Wilson doesn't know the victim, but she said she came home Friday night to see her neighbors across the street in a panic.
"All the cops were out here, the news and everything," she said. "All I heard was someone got shot."
Wilson said situations like this are scary for any parent.
"When you're a mother yourself and you got children, if something happens to someone else's children it's scary."
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Sources said the child fired the weapon inside of the mobile home while the adults were in the yard, which neighbors say is disturbing.
"If you have a gun and you have children, get a lock," Wilson said. "Get a safe or whatever. Don't have it loaded."
Authorities are still working to determine what type of gun was used and exactly how many times it was fired.
Police have not said if charges will be filed.
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