GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Grand Rapids Police Department says that a 13-year-old boy who was shot Saturday night in Grand Rapids’ West Grand neighborhood has died.
It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Alpine Avenue NW between 8th and 9th Streets.
When officers arrived, they found a 13-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the chest.
The boy was taken to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in serious condition. He died shortly after arriving, GRPS said.
GRPD said that two 13-year-old boys were playing with a gun. The gun went off and hit one of the teenagers.
The second 13-year-old is in custody, GRPD said.
The scene of a shooting on Alpine Avenue NW. (May 28, 2022) 
The scene of a shooting on Alpine Avenue NW. (May 28, 2022)
George Gross, the grandfather of the alleged shooter, told News 8 it was his 45-caliber gun the teens were playing with. Gross said he was at work when it happened and he stored the weapon in an unlocked dresser in his bedroom.
Gross said the shooting was an accident and expressed his sympathies for the family of the teen killed.
GRPD said the investigation is ongoing but they believe the shooting to be accidental at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Grand Rapids Police Department at 616.456.3400 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.
— News 8’s Jacqueline Francis contributed to this report.
