AFTON – Police have arrested a man they say is responsible for accidentally shooting his five-year-old son in the face at his home last week.

New York State Troopers have arrested Earnest J. Wurtz, 42, County Route 17, Afton, and charged him with first degree reckless endangerment (a Class D felony) and endangering the welfare of a child.

“Despite the obvious family turmoil of the father accidentally shooting his child, there is still some responsibility of pulling a trigger in an occupied home which could have easily caused the death of a child,” said District Attorney Joseph McBride.

Police responded to the shooting accident Oct. 1 at Wurtz’s home in Afton. While Wurtz was “checking the condition” of one of his firearms it discharged, according to police.