3-year-old fatally shot by father’s gun

RALEIGH — A North Carolina father has been arrested after the fatal Christmas Eve shooting of his 3-year-old son.

Raleigh police said 26-year-old Eric Eugene Hinton was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being held on $100,000 bond at the Wake County jail.

Police spokesman Jim Sughrue said investigators believe the child got access to the gun and it discharged. Sughrue said police found evidence Thursday that indicated the weapon belonged to Hinton.

The investigation is ongoing. Jail workers said it wasn’t clear whether Hinton had an attorney.

Hinton’s criminal record includes arrests for larceny, possession of stolen goods, trespass, and drug use and possession. He served several months in jail in 2006.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)