WILKES-BARRE — A Kingston man pleaded guilty Monday to endangering a 7-year-old boy who was injured in a shooting in March.
Kayne Dahjir Burton, 25, of East Grove Street, pleaded guilty to four counts of recklessly endangering another person before Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge David W. Lupas.
The plea agreement was announced during a court proceeding in which Burton’s attorney, Luzerne County Public Defender Alexandra Chura, sought to have the case dismissed.
Kingston police in court records alleged Burton visited family at a residence on Center Avenue where he placed a loaded 9mm Ruger on a television stand on March 6.
Court records say Burton claimed he fell, causing the firearm to fall from the stand and fire a round through the floor.
A 7-year-old boy in a room below was struck in his buttocks by the round, court records say.
Prosecutors withdrew charges of providing false information on a firearm purchase application and possession of drug paraphernalia against Burton.
Police in court records alleged Burton purchased the firearm at a licensed firearms dealer in Plymouth about two weeks prior to the shooting. During the firearm purchase process, Burton checked “No” to a question related to illegal use of a controlled substance.
After the shooting, court records say, Burton told police he smoked a marijuana blunt prior to arriving at the Center Avenue residence.
Burton remains free on bail and is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 4.
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