# 9-year-old charged after shooting friend in the face

> A Georgia mother and her young son face charges after a gun went off during play, severely injuring another child.
- Title: 9-year-old charged after shooting friend in the face
- Summary: A Georgia mother and her young son face charges after a gun went off during play, severely injuring another child. Unsecured firearms can lead to criminal…
- Keywords: valdosta, georgia, andrea mcclendon, child shooting, gun safety, brittany woods apartments, valdosta police department, lowndes county jail, department of juvenile justice, firearm storage, cruelty to children, news
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/16/mother-9-year-old-son-charged-after-10-year-old-shot-face-severely-injured
- Published: 2026-09-16T10:01:01.893+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: valdosta, georgia, andrea mcclendon, child shooting, gun safety, brittany woods apartments, valdosta police department, lowndes county jail, department of juvenile justice, firearm storage, cruelty to children, news
## Child shot while playing with gun
A 10-year-old boy was shot in the face at Brittany Woods Apartments in Valdosta, Georgia. Police found him with severe facial injuries around 5 p.m. on September 7.
## Two kids were handling the firearm
A 9-year-old told police he and the victim were playing with a gun when it discharged. The victim's mother said her son repeatedly asked the other boy to stop pointing it at him.

> [The 10-year-old] was like, 'Mom, I told him to stop pointing the gun at me numerous of times, and he didn't.'
## Mother arrested for gun access
Andrea McClendon, 46, owned the firearm her son accessed. She turned herself in and faces charges of second-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct.
## The 9-year-old faces charges too
Through the Department of Juvenile Justice, the 9-year-old was charged with reckless conduct and possession of a firearm by a minor.
## Victim remains hospitalized
The 10-year-old boy is in stable condition and continuing to receive medical treatment for his injuries.
## Key takeaway

Unsecured firearms can lead to criminal charges for parents and even young children when accidents happen.