Oakley father accidentally shoots 5-year-old son in chest while cleaning AR-15-style rifle: police

OAKLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- A 5-year-old boy in Oakley is expected to recover after police say he was shot in the chest by his father, who allegedly accidentally pulled the trigger of an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle while cleaning it.

Oakley police were called to the residence in the 1700 block of Hemlock Court around 9:25 p.m. Sunday. When they arrived, they said the father was holding the child and applying pressure to the wound.

That child was taken via helicopter to be operated on and is expected to make a full recovery.

Police said the father was cooperating.

He told them that he had been in the process of cleaning his guns and, at one point, pulled out an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle from a gun case. When he did that, he accidentally pulled the trigger.

The rifle discharged, and the bullet hit his son at close range in the torso.

The father said he thought the gun was empty.

Oakley police said that it does not believe that there was any intent behind the shooting, but the incident is under investigation.

MORE: 3-year-old dead after accidental shooting at Antioch home, police say

Police Chief Paul Beard said that an inch of difference where the bullet hit the boy would have had a different and more tragic outcome.

"Even though we believe this to be an awful accident, some crucial errors of negligence were made," he said in a statement. "Firearms should always be treated as if they are loaded and one should never put a finger on the trigger of a firearm unless there is an intent to shoot it."

This is the second time in less than a year that a young child has been accidentally shot in the East Bay. Last year, a 3-year-old accidentally shot and killed himself in Antioch.

Police say all firearms have been removed from the home while this is under investigation. Once they're done, it will be forwarded to the Contra Costa DA's office to see if criminal charges will be filed.