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Man who shot cousin mistaken for skunk receives probation sentence

NEW SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man accused of accidentally shooting his 9-year-old cousin at a Halloween party last year pleaded no contest Monday.

Thomas Grant, 24, admitted that he shot the girl in the shoulder during a Halloween party last year.

Grant said he thought the girl, who was wearing a black costume with a white tail, was a skunk.

The girl has been released from the hospital and is going through rehab.

A charge of aggravated assault against Grant was dropped in February.

Grant’s attorney, Steven Valsamivis, said, “My client received a probation sentence. Everybody involved, both on the victim’s side and on the defendant’s side, were all in agreement, which says that this was an accident, nothing more.”

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