Fort Bragg Soldier Arrested After Shoots Through Apt Wall Strikes Toddler In Neighboring Dwelling

A Fort Bragg Army soldier is in custody after discharging a gun, the bullet striking a 3-year-old child Friday evening, authorities said.

Brian Michael Cavalier, 22, of Fayetteville, was taken in custody and charged with discharging a weapon into occupied property and discharging a weapon into occupied property, causing serious bodily injury.

Authorities said Cavalier and another man, identified as Max Michael, were in an apartment, located in the 800 block of Lake Pine Drive, Friday evening. The men were examining a .45 caliber Ruger handgun when Cavalier apparently fired a bullet into the adjoining wall of a next-door apartment.

The boy in the adjacent apartment was shot in the shoulder before being rushed to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center for treatment, police said. The toddler was reported in stable condition Saturday morning, police said. His injury was not believed to be life threatening, investigators said.

Police said Michael was released without being charged.

Both men were in the Army, although police did not say if they were stationed at Fort Bragg.