Central NY man arrested in 7-month-old boy’s shooting death

Police are investigating the death of a 7-month-old infant in central NY.

According to police, Bartle was allegedly cleaning his shotgun in the living room of the home Saturday.

Police say when investigators asked Bartle why he reloaded the gun, his answer was he didn’t know.

When the gun went off, the baby was hit in the upper body and died.

Police responded to a house at 519 W. Dominick St.in Rome around 4 p.m. for a report of an injured child, officials said.

Neighbors who spoke to NewsChannel Sunday afternoon said they were “shocked” to learn about the child’s death.

Police said the shooting happened in front of the child’s mother and a third man who was also in the home.

Police recovered a firearm believed to be related to the case.

Police are waiting to release baby’s name, so the family has more time to inform distant relatives.