Chesapeake teen shot while playing with gun
Ambulance

Chesapeake teen shot while playing with gun

CHESAPEAKE, VA – Police are investigating an accidental shooting that left a juvenile injured Saturday after a group of teens reportedly mishandled a firearm inside a home on the 500 block of Atamasco Street.

Officers from the Chesapeake Police Department responded to the scene on February 7, 2026, after receiving reports of an injured person. When they arrived, they discovered that the gun had gone off while being handled by the juveniles, striking one of them.

According to investigators, the weapon was “improperly handled” before it discharged. The injured juvenile was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of what police described as non-life-threatening injuries.

Police: no ongoing threat to the community

Authorities emphasized that the incident appears to have been accidental and isolated, with no indication of broader danger to the public. Detectives continue to review the circumstances, including how the firearm was obtained and whether adults may face charges related to unsafe storage.

Call for information

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, submit a tip at P3TIPS.com, or use the P3TIPS app. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and individuals providing information that leads to an arrest, recovery of a firearm, or other evidence may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,500.

Key takeaways

• Chesapeake police investigating accidental shooting involving juveniles on Atamasco Street.
• Victim hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
• Investigators say firearm was mishandled; case remains under review.

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