DETROIT (WWJ) -- A Detroit man is facing criminal charges after authorities say his 6-year-old daughter accidentally shot herself with his handgun.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Wednesday announced the case against 39-year-old Marcellis Dushaun Williams in connection with the shooting at a home on the city's west side last Sunday.
Detroit Police responded to the home, on Artesian Street, at around 9 a.m. to find the young victim in a bedroom suffering from gunshot wounds to her shoulder and thumb.
The child was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, and is expected to recover.
Investigators said it's believed that the father left a handgun unsecured in the home, the child found it, picked it up, and shot herself.
Under Michigan law, firearm owners are required to keep weapons locked and out of reach of minors.
“Luckily this child will survive, but this never should have happened. The alleged actions of the parent in this case were completely irresponsible and are now criminal,” said Worthy, in a statement.
She added: “We have had many tragedies in Wayne County where children have died or suffered serious injury because the adults in their lives did not take a few minutes to ensure that their deadly weapons were secured. I have been preaching about this for over ten years. Hopefully one day I won’t have to."
Williams has been charged with Safe Storage Violations and Inflicted Serious Impairment of a Body Function.
He was arraigned on the charged in 36th District Court on Tuesday and received a $20,000 bond. His next court date is a Probable Cause Conference set for March 11.
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