Jersey City Boy Dead in Apparent Gun Accident

A boy playing with his parent's gun shot his 11-year-old friend dead in a Jersey City home tonight, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation said.

The gun belonged to a corrections officer, said the source, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak about the investigation.

Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio confirmed the shooting death, but said all other details are being investigated. "We're not sure at this point whether it's an accident or a homicide," DeFazio said tonight.

The 11-year-old, who was not identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, 293 Randolph Ave., DeFazio said. The boy, who DeFazio said lived in the area, was shot at 6 p.m.

Police closed off a two-block area around Randolph Ave., next to Arlington Park, as part of its investigation. DeFazio would not confirm that the gun belonged to a corrections officer, saying only that it was part of the investigation and people are still being interviewed.