A 1-year-old boy is “very lucky” to be alive after being shot twice by his 6-year-old brother, who found a loaded pistol in their Detroit home, according to police.
On Wednesday (June 7), Related press reported that the toddler was believed to be in the crib when the older boy shot the infant in the cheek and left shoulder, Detroit police said.
6-year-old boy shoots brother in cheek, shoulder, authorities lament ‘preventable’ incident
The gun in question is said to be unregistered. Both children have not been named publicly due to their ages.
As of Thursday, the child is still in the hospital, according to WDIV-TV.
Meanwhile, Detroit Assistant Sheriff Charles Fitzgerald described Wednesday’s shooting as “preventable.”
Sheriff Fitzgerald said: “We are very, very lucky that the child is still with us.
Fitzgerald also begged gun owners in the community to keep their guns safely out of the reach of children.
“We’ve been here too often talking about protecting your weapons,” Fitzgerald said, according to CBS News. “There are gun locks, gun safes, the highest priced you can find in your home. Raise the gun as high as you can.
Police say mom and dad were nearby but weren’t present in the non-fatal Detroit shooting
The shooting comes months after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation requiring gun owners to keep their firearms in a locked storage box, especially when it is “reasonably known that a minor is or is likely to be at the premises”.
That act goes into effect in 2024, Related press reported back in April.
Police say that at the time of the shooting, the child’s mother was visiting a neighbor downstairs. The father is said to be in the backyard making a fence.
Both parents cooperated with authorities, the six-year-old could face criminal charges
The two parents are fully cooperating with investigations into the non-fatal shooting.
Police justified the need for a search warrant to enter the home.
Evidence gathered during that search will be presented to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether any criminal charges will be filed. Detroit News.
No fees have been filed as of Friday (June 9), AP reported.
