Bullet flies through children's bedroom in NH

RAYMOND, N.H. (WHDH) -- A bullet hole was left behind in a family’s bedroom ceiling after police say a neighbor fired a handgun.

The bullet went flying through the bedroom just feet away from where Tricia Vignault’s three children sleep.

“The bullet went right by their bed onto the floor,” said Vignault.

Luckily, her 7-year-old daughter and her 4-year-old twins seem pretty unfazed by the whole thing. But their mother isn't.

“I was pretty upset by it obviously, but thankful none of us were home when it happened,” said Vignault.

A neighbor directly upstairs has been charged with firing a handgun that sent a bullet flying between the bunk beds and the hamster cage.

7News knocked on his door and there was no answer, but Robert Payette told police it was an accident.

“The gentleman was showing his friend his gun and I guess was going to clean it and didn't realize there was a round still in the chamber and fired off the gun,” said Sgt. Scott Payne, Raymond, New Hampshire Police Department.

While the children are safe, their mother says there's no good explanation for a bullet in the bedroom.

“Cleaning 101 for guns is you don't have them loaded when you clean,” said Vignault.

Police say Payette called to report what happened. He’s been charged with reckless conduct and criminal mischief.