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http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/378...871e3ce6c.html

UPDATE: Father shot by 4-year-old son charged in incident

MASON CITY. Iowa --- A Mason City father shot in the knee by his 4-year-old son has been charged in connection with the incident, according to Mason City police.

Christopher Upenieks, 29, 509 Fourth St. NE, was charged Friday with child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor, and allowing a minor access to a firearm, a serious misdemeanor, according to a press release from the Mason City Police Department.

On Feb. 27, officers found Upenieks in his parked truck at his home with a gunshot wound to his left knee. Upenieks had allegedly left the handgun unsecured in the truck and his 4-year-old son obtained the weapon and discharged it striking his father in the leg.

Upenieks was cited and released to appear in court.

EARLIER STORY

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) --- A Mason City man is being treated for a gunshot wound to the knee after his 4-year-old son picked up a handgun and it fired.

Police say 29-year-old Christopher Upenieks (OOP-in-icks) was accidentally shot Monday afternoon when the boy found the unsecured weapon in his dad's truck, picked it up and it fired.

Upenieks was in his truck when police arrived. He was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police say he had a valid permit to carry a gun.

The Iowa Department of Human Services was notified and police say there could be charges of child endangerment or leaving an unsecured loaded weapon within reach of a child. The incident remains under investigation. At what age is it appropriate to start teaching self-defense? OOP-in-icks needs a refresher course.