New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson says a two-year-old boy shot dead Wednesday in Hollygrove was the ninth person accidentally shot in the city this year with a gun that was "unsecured." Nearly all of those shot were children.
He says three of those shot with unsecured firearms have died.
"We've had three negligent homicides this year. Two of the three were children, a two year old as well as a three year old," according to Ferguson.
The chief says there have also been six injuries to "our youth" in negligent injury cases where children found unsecured guns.
In the latest case, Ferguson says the toddler apparently accidental killed himself.
"Evidence allows us to believe that this was a self inflicted wound."
Police questioned the dead two-year-old boy's parents last night. So far no charges, but the chief says negligent homicide charges are expected once they determine exactly how the toddler got the gun.
