State police at Reading are investigating the shooting death of a 10-year-old boy that occurred on Thanksgiving Day.

Troopers said the youngster was shot on property along Chestnut Street in Hereford Township. Troopers said a person nearby fired three shots from a rifle at a homemade target on his property. The shots went through the target and struck the boy, troopers said. Troopers declined to identify the victim or the person who fired the shots.

The victim was pronounced dead at 2:54 p.m. at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. An autopsy determined the cause of death a gunshot wound to the body.

Troopers said the investigation is continuing and charges are pending.