NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — It’s still unclear whether any charges will be filed in the devastating case of a 3-year-old shooting himself in the head with his father’s unsecured gun in Newport News.
On Tuesday, police responded to the Soundview Townhomes on 41st Street and Newsome Drive.
The father, who works as an armed security guard, reportedly left his gun on the kitchen counter, according to a search warrant. While he was in the bedroom, he heard a loud pop and ran into the kitchen, where he found his son lying on the floor.
The 3-year-old had an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Officers responded to the scene and made contact with the father, who was holding his child in a blanket. Medics transported the son to a hospital, but unfortunately, they were not able to save him.
The search warrant was issued to the Newport News Fire Department Administration requesting records of treatment and life-saving measures performed by the department.
Police cited an investigation of felony child neglect and reckless handling of a firearm as probable cause for the warrant, but no official charges have been filed against the father. The gun was recovered, according to previous coverage.
The father has cooperated with the investigators and provided information consensually to police.
An activist with Deen Ball Sports wants to help stop preventable gun deaths, his non-profit gives away free gun locks to put your guns away when you get home.
“If we can prevent something from accidentally happening, I think it’s worth us adults taking that one extra step to maybe just unload your firearm, or maybe just place it safely in a storage cabinet or something,” said Thomas Alston, vice president of Deen Ball Sports.
If you are interested in getting a free gun lock, you can email DeenBallSport@gmail.com.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.