5-Year-Old Shot In Plainfield

A 5-year-old boy was shot while walking with his mother in Plainfield on Thursday afternoon.

Police tell WNBC TV the unidentified pair was walking in the area of South 2nd Street and Plainfield Avenue when the boy was struck. He was hospitalized with unknown injuries and is in stable condition.

Plainfield Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig tells the Courier News the bullet entered the child's mouth and lodged in his throat. He's in critical condition.

Hellwig says police have recovered evidence and are following leads that they hope will end with the arrest of the gunman.

Police do not believe either was the intended target.