2-Year-Old Shoots Self with Missouri Officer's Gun After it Was Left Unattended
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The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday when the toddler wandered into a room during a family gathering in Ferguson, Mo.
A 2-year-old has been injured after accidentally shooting himself with a sheriff deputy's gun.
According to St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the incident occurred on Saturday when the toddler wandered into a room during a family gathering in Ferguson, Mo.
Per the outlet, his uncle — who is reportedly a St. Louis sheriff’s deputy — was arrested on suspicion of endangering the welfare of a child. He was then released by Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Ferguson police spokesperson Pat Washington told the outlet that there were plans to apply for charges on Thursday. PEOPLE has contacted the Ferguson Police Department for comment.
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In a Facebook post, the police department confirmed that the 2-year-old was recovering from the shooting.
“GREAT NEWS,” the statement read. “We are happy to learn that the 2-year-old toddler injured in an accidental shooting recently is recovering well and may be home with family soon.”
They added, “Thank you to Detective Numan and the officers on this case which serves as a tragic example of what can happen when guns are not properly secured in your household.”
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According to The Kansas City Star, the 2-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen during the accidental shooting.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Ferguson police Chief Troy Doyle confirmed the gun belonged to the 2-year-old’s St. Louis sheriff’s deputy uncle. However, it’s unknown whether the firearm was issued by the uncle’s department.
"In the wake of the distressing incident where a two-year-old child accidentally shot himself with an unsecured firearm, our community is reminded of the urgent necessity for stringent gun safety,” Doyle said in a statement via the Ferguson Police Department’s Facebook page. “We are all saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers are certainly with this family. "
He added, "Thankfully, the child survived, but the emotional scars of this event will linger. I implore every gun owner to confront the reality of this preventable tragedy and take immediate action to secure their firearms.”
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