Farmingville Man Accidentally Shot by Teenager After Handing Over Shotgun

The 51-year-old man faces a reckless endangerment charge after the incident in his home.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A 51-year-old Farmingville, New York man was seriously injured after he accidentally shot himself in the arm when he handed a shotgun to a 15-year-old family member in his home. The man, Geonard Wade, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the teenager was unharmed and released to family. Wade has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony, and will be arraigned at a later date.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of improperly handling firearms, especially around minors. It raises questions about gun safety protocols and the responsibilities of gun owners to ensure weapons are stored securely and used responsibly, especially in homes with children present.

The details

According to police, the incident occurred around 7:40 p.m. on Redwood Lane in Farmingville. Geonard Wade, 51, handed a shotgun to a 15-year-old family member, at which point the weapon accidentally discharged, shooting Wade in the arm. Wade was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The 15-year-old was unharmed and released to family members at the scene.

  • The incident occurred around 7:40 p.m. on March 9, 2026.

The players

Geonard Wade

A 51-year-old Farmingville, New York resident who was accidentally shot in the arm after handing a shotgun to a 15-year-old family member in his home.

15-year-old family member

A teenager who was handed a shotgun by Geonard Wade, which then accidentally discharged and shot Wade in the arm.

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What’s next

Wade is scheduled to be arraigned on the first-degree reckless endangerment charge at a later date.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the critical importance of responsible gun ownership and storage, especially in homes with minors present. It serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers when firearms are not handled with the utmost care and caution.