Neighbor Shoots 14-Year-Old Girl As She Plays Hide And Seek On His Property

A 58-year-old man has been accused of shooting a 14-year-old girl who hid on his Louisiana property during a game of hide and seek.

The girl was transported to the hospital to receive treatment, while the accused man was taken into custody and charged for allegedly shooting the victim in the back of the head.

The incident unfolded at a Starks residence early Sunday morning. The girl and several other juveniles were playing hide and seek in the area and entered a neighbor's property, according to KPLC.

David V. Doyle, the owner of the property, later told detectives that he saw shadows outside his home. The homeowner then went inside his house, got hold of his firearm and came out of the house to find people running away.

Doyle then opened fire on the fleeing juveniles and "unknowingly" struck the teenage girl, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Deputies were dispatched to the home after receiving a shooting report. They arrived at Doyle's residence to find the teenager with a gunshot wound to the back of her head. She was rushed to the hospital to receive medical attention. Her injuries were not life-threatening, officials said, as per WAFB.

"During the initial investigation, deputies observed a 14-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of her head," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "CPSO Violent Crimes detectives arrived on scene and after further investigation, it was discovered several juveniles were playing hide and seek in the area and were hiding on the neighbor's property."

The sheriff's office said they spoke with Doyle, who "stated he observed shadows outside his home, at which time he went inside and retrieved his firearm. He then advised detectives he went back outside and observed people running away from his property, at which time he began shooting at them and unknowingly hit the girl," the statement continued.

Doyle was arrested and taken to the Calcasieu Correctional Center. He is facing charges of aggravated battery, four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm.

The incident continues to be investigated.