ROY — Police met with Weber County prosecutors Monday to discuss possible criminal charges against a man who they say fired a shotgun Saturday, critically injuring a 9-year-old boy.

"Our police department believes the discharge of the weapon was negligent," said Roy Police Chief Greg Whinham, citing evidence that alcohol use was a factor in the incident.

Braden Schroeder was shot as he walked down the street with his grandfather Saturday afternoon in the Monte Vista Mobile Home Park.

Investigators said David L. Dunlap, 28, told them he was cleaning a shotgun inside a mobile home near 3800 South and 1900 West at the time of the shooting. The man allegedly told police he reloaded the shotgun, as was his practice, then pointed the weapon at a nearby window and "dry fired" it.

"You don't reload and then dry fire," Whinham said. "That's where the disconnect is. We believe alcohol impairment contributed to this."

Police said the 12-gauge shotgun blast sailed through the window and struck Schroeder with multiple pellets. Each pellet is slightly smaller than a .38-caliber bullet, Whinham said.

Schroeder was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center, where he was listed Monday in critical but stable condition. Whinham said the boy's injuries are "significant" and stretch from his neck to his legs.

Investigators obtained a search warrant Saturday to draw blood from Dunlap, who they say acknowledged drinking throughout the day. They believe his blood-alcohol level at the time of the shooting was above the legal limit set for impairment in DUI cases, Whinham said, but are awaiting the results of the blood test.

Dunlap has not been arrested or charged with a crime.

— Geoff Liesik