Maine Father Shot Sons With BB Gun: Police

HOLLIS, ME — A Hollis father was arrested Friday on charges he shot his two sons with a BB gun as a "rite of passage," according to state police. James Pelletier, 46, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and domestic violence with a dangerous weapon. He was held without bail pending an arraignment Monday.

Police said Hollis Elementary School officials notified police after the children, ages 9 and 11, told them their father shot them "because they failed to do their chores."

"When interviewed ... Pelletier admitted to shooting the children not out of anger, but as a rite of passage to get their own BB guns and to know what it feels like getting hit so they won’t shoot other people," police said in a statement.

Police said Pelletier shot his 9-year-old in the upper thigh and his 11-year-old in the right forearm.

In his booking photo, Pelletier is wearing a shirt with the message, "I don't give a ..." followed by a drawing of a rat and a donkey.

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Photo: James Pelletier. (Credit: Maine State Police)