Teen accidently shot and wounded at Mt. Laurel home

MOUNT LAUREL (AP) — Investigators say a teenage boy was accidentally shot and wounded in a gun mishap at his Mount Laurel home.

Authorities say two of the boy's friends had brought a handgun to the Mount Laurel home late Saturday night. The weapon accidentally discharged while they were handling it, and the 17-year-old boy was struck in the chest.

The two friends — 18-year-old Kurtis M. Cercone of Mount Laurel and a 17-year-old Trenton boy — fled the home with the gun, but were later found walking in the area. Both face weapons charges, and the Trenton boy was also charged with aggravated assault. Cercone is being held at the Burlington County Jail on $50,000 bail; the 17-year-old is at the Burlington County Juvenile Detention Center.

The teen victime  was treated at a hospital for his wound. Authorities say he initially claimed he had been shot on his porch by a masked suspect who then ran off.

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