Jeff Murray

jmurray@stargazette.com | @SGJeffMurray

Two juveniles — ages 12 and 15 — have been charged with possession of a firearm in connection with the July 30 shooting death of a 12-year-old Elmira boy, police said Wednesday.

The boy, identified at an Aug. 2 rally as Jeremiyah Alford by his father, Derrick Alford, was fatally shot at a residence on West Hudson Street. Police said the shooting was accidental and the shooter believed the gun was unloaded.

The case will proceed in family court, and the names of the two juveniles will not be released because of their ages, according to the Elmira Police Department.

New York state law generally prevents anyone under age 16 from possessing guns or other weapons. Violators are adjudicated as juvenile delinquents. Exceptions would include possessing guns while hunting or with parental permission.

Police would not comment on who owned the gun or how the juveniles came into possession of it, or whether the shooting took place at Jeremiyah's home or at a different residence.

Jeremiyah's tragic death highlights the need for safe storage and handling of firearms, especially if there are curious children around, according to Chemung County Sheriff Christopher Moss.

Anyone who applies for an unrestricted handgun permit in Chemung County has to take a four-hour firearm safety course, Moss said. The course includes many common-sense gun safety tips:

Always treat every firearm as if it was loaded.

Never point a firearm at anything you don't intend to shoot.

Ammunition and firearms should be stored and secured separately.

Gun locks should be used on all weapons, long and short guns.

"Children and teenagers are curious. If you have them living in or visiting a home with firearms, take extra precautions to make sure they can't retrieve them for any reason," Moss said. "The majority of tragedies that occur with children and firearms can be avoided if simple steps are taken to ensure that firearm owners are practicing safe firearm protocols."

During the Aug. 2 rally at Elmira's Wisner Park, Jeremiyah's father described his son as an outgoing child who enjoyed playing basketball and other sports.

"He was just a wholesome kid all around. I couldn't ask for a better son," Alford said.

Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray.