Camden boy accidentally fires rifle, killing playmate

KINGSLAND - A 13-year-old Camden County boy was killed when his 10-year-old friend apparently picked up a loaded hunting rifle from the victim&#39;s bedroom dresser and it accidentally fired, authorities said. <br> <br> Police also found several other loaded firearms in the north Camden County home where the victim, Richard Will Swain, was shot in the head Sunday, said William Terrell, a spokesman with the Camden County Sheriff&#39;s Office. <br> <br> Police were trying to determine who owns the .30-06 rifle and the other firearms taken from the home, Terrell said Wednesday. <br> <br> The mother of the 10-year-old who accidentally discharged the high-powered rifle said her son ``swears he did not touch the trigger.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> ``My son told me the gun was lying on the dresser,&#39;&#39; she told police. ``He picked up the gun and it fired. There was no horseplaying.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> She said she was driving to pick up her son, who spent the night at the victim&#39;s house, when the shooting happened around noon. <br> <br> ``We walked in on the father running out of the house screaming,&#39;&#39; the mother said. <br> <br> She said her son, who was not identified because of his age, didn&#39;t have any knowledge about firearms. The rifle was ``cocked and loaded&#39;&#39; when her son picked up the weapon off the dresser, she said. <br> <br> ``He would not know how to load a .30-06,&#39;&#39; she said. <br> <br> The mother said her son is staying with relatives out of town and trying to recover. <br> <br> ``He said he felt like he killed his brother,&#39;&#39; she said. ``He&#39;s shut down. It&#39;s just horrible.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The victim&#39;s father, Richard H. Swain, was home when the shooting happened but the boys were alone in the 13-year-old&#39;s bedroom. <br> <br> George Turner, assistant district attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, said he has not reviewed police reports yet and did not know if charges would be filed. <br> <br> Classmates of the two boys at Camden Middle School and Woodbine Elementary School met with counselors Tuesday, said Edwin Davis, assistant superintendent of schools. <br> <br> ``Obviously, it&#39;s something that&#39;s touched the community,&#39;&#39; Davis said.