An Albrightsville man has been charged with shooting a 10-year-old child with a gunshot that was intended for the victim’s father.

According to the affidavit of probable caused filed by Trooper Sarah Nebzydoski of the Pennsylvania State Police, Fern Ridge barracks, in the case against Darius James:

On Thursday, the Fern Ridge station was contacted by the Monroe County Communications Center reporting that there was a 911 hang-up call placed from the 300 block of Orchard Drive, Chestnuthill Township.

While patrol members from the station were en route to the hang-up call location, Fern Ridge received a secondary call from county communications saying that there was a 10-year-old boy with a gunshot wound in the emergency room at St. Luke’s Pocono Campus.

The victim’s father brought the boy to the ER after he engaged in an altercation with James, 34, the victim’s stepfather.

The boy told Cpl. Christopher Shelling before being flown to St. Luke’s Bethlehem that his father came to the home and recalled giving him a hug when James brandished a Glock 19 firearm and attempted to shoot the victim’s father in the head.

The boy said he was struck as a result of the incident, and that James then fled the scene in a red vehicle.

Trooper James Poliskiewicz saw that the boy’s father had a bleeding cut on the back of his head.

Fern Ridge patrol members observed a single bullet hole through the front door of the residence and blood on the exterior floor panel.

Around 10:25 a.m. Attorney Patrick Rogan contacted the Fern Ridge station regarding James and advised that he was retained as counsel by James regarding the incident.

Rogan said that he told James to turn himself into authorities, and asked how the 10-year-old was doing as a result of the incident.

Rogan was informed that the boy was struck in the arm by gunfire.

Rogan stated “that’s where he believed he was hit” (referencing the boy’s injury from James’ account).

Additionally, Rogan advised James to surrender the firearm used in the incident to the state police when turning himself in.

James faces charges on two counts each of reckless endangerment and aggravated assault, along with one count each of endangering the welfare of children and simple assault

He is currently jailed in the Monroe County Correctional Facility, with his request for bail denied.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday before District Judge Colleen Mancuso of Brodheadsville.