DETROIT (WWJ) – A baby is in temporary serious condition after shooting himself in the hand and shoulder with a gun that wasn’t properly locked up on Monday night on Detroit’s east side, according to Police Chief James White said.
Preliminary investigation showed a 2-year-old boy got ahold of his mother’s gun, which was kept under the bed the child was in, and pulled the trigger while she was in another room with her boyfriend.
White says the bullet went through the boy’s hand and shoulder and barely missed his head.
The baby was expected to be okay, according to White, who said the child was going into surgery Monday night.
The boyfriend is a valid CPL holder, according to White, but the mother is not and the gun the child shot himself with was unregistered.
The child’s mother is expected to face charges, and police will likely investigate the mother’s boyfriend, the chief said, noting the important thing was that the mother was by her child’s side in the hospital.
White called it “another tragic story involving a child, one of Detroit’s babies,” as several similar incidents have played out since White assumed his role as chief of police last summer. He has preached about the importance of responsible gun ownership during his tenure.
“I say it at each one of these. Let’s make this one the last one,” White said. “Let’s learn from this situation, the baby’s gonna make it, thank goodness, but let’s use a gun lock, or let’s have responsible gun ownership.”
Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest details on this developing story. >>> LISTEN LIVE!
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