Man charged with shooting boy with airsoft gun as punishment

Authorities say a Florida man shot a young boy with an airsoft gun as punishment.

News outlets report that 36-year-old Mark Cox was arrested Sunday and charged with child abuse.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office says a witness told deputies that Cox purposely shot the 4-year-old child with plastic pellets because he wouldn’t sit down after his mother told him to do so. The sheriff’s office says the pellets left marks on the boy’s neck, but the injuries weren’t considered serious.

Deputies say Cox admitted to pulling the trigger but said he thought the gun was broken.

Cox was being held on $5,000 bail. Jail records didn’t list an attorney.

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