
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 15, 1994                   TAG: 9402150140
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Adrienne Petty
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BOY, 13, IN INTENSIVE CARE WITH GUNSHOT WOUND TO CHEST

A 13-year-old Henry County boy suffered a severe gunshot wound to the chest Sunday afternoon.

Jermal Lamont Fontaine was in intensive care Monday at the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville & Henry County. At the family's request, Hospital Administrator Bill Evans would not release specific information on the boy's condition.

According to the investigators' report, Fontaine was at the home of Brian L. Coleman at 104 Erwin St. in Martinsville when the incident occurred.

Fontaine was apparently taking shells out of a shotgun when Coleman told the boy to stop playing with the gun and hand it to him.

Holding the shotgun by the barrel, Fontaine gave it to Coleman.

Coleman told investigators he must have touched the trigger, because the gun fired, wounding Fontaine in the chest.

No charges have been filed.

Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.

by CNB