A two-year-old boy was gravely injured after a shooting inside a residence on Indianapolis’ west side overnight.
Police are still investigating what caused the shooting, but they believe it was a tragic accident and hope the case will serve as a lesson to other gun owners.
“EMA is en route. “The caller’s 2-year-old son accidentally shot himself,” a police dispatcher stated.
Police responded to the emergency call in the 3100 block of Thayer Street around 11:20 p.m. Sunday.
When authorities arrived, they found a 2-year-old boy with a gunshot wound. He was sent to the hospital in critical condition.
“This is just super tragic for a family and for this child,” said IMPD officer Tommy Thompson.
While police records indicate that the shooting was an accidental discharge of a firearm, IMPD is currently investigating how the boy obtained the handgun used in the incident.
“Prevention is crucial here. Sadly, this family must live with this, and it is sad,” Thompson stated.
“Every class we do starts with safety, because that’s the cornerstone,” Mark Welter said.
Welter is a manager of Indy Arms Company, a firearms merchant that also provides safety instruction. Welter emphasizes gun safety to his customers every day.
“Owning a firearm is a huge responsibility, and some people just don’t see that or they get complacent,” Welter said.
Lock boxes and other safety precautions, such as free gun locks, are always accessible in public libraries around the city.
Experts believe that with a little prudence, accidents like the shooting on the west side overnight should never occur.
“We always utilize a Christmas present analogy. If the children can discover the Christmas presents, they can also find the guns. So hiding it isn’t the solution. “You have to secure it,” remarked Welter.
“We have to be responsible as gun owners and keep them out of the hands of children,” Thompson said.
So far, no arrests have occurred.
Police and prosecutors will evaluate the case to determine whether child negligence charges should be made.
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