A father accused of shooting his two-year-old child pleaded “not guilty” Saturday morning in Rochester City Court. 36-year-old Charles Timothy Phillips is charged with first-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
His two-year-old son, Zayden Phillips, was shot yesterday at their home on Walnut Street. He’s in guarded condition at Strong Memorial Hospital.
Rochester police didn’t reveal at last night’s briefing if the shooting was accidental or intentional, but they did say it happened inside the home. The definition of first degree assault implies intent or depraved indifference. Authorities haven’t said yet which they believe to be the case here.