Sheriff's investigators called the shooting an accident but charged Paul Alan Sanders with reckless conduct, a misdemeanor. Josh Sanders was struck in the left thigh and was in fair condition Monday night at Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

"If you carry a gun, and it goes off and goes through a wall and hits your son, then you are being reckless," said Maj. Ken Autry of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. "Most people in a home with children would have unloaded the weapon. That's what I would suggest."

Mr. Sanders, 45, of Pine Needle Road, told police he was carrying an AR-15 assault rifle from one area of the house to another about 1:30 a.m. Monday when he tripped and the rifle discharged. The weapon had been converted to an automatic.

The gunfire went through a wall into the room where Josh and his brother William were sleeping, police said.

Investigators seized other weapons and later added a felony charge against Mr. Sanders of unlawful possession of a firearm silencer. Sheriff's officials also examined objects that resemble grenades, but Maj. Autry said they could be novelty items.

Mr. Sanders was being held at the Richmond County jail without bond.

Reach Greg Rickabaugh at (706) 828-3851 or greg.rickabaugh@augustachronicle.com.