CHARLOTTE, NC – A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday evening when a 3-year-old child in Charlotte, North Carolina sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Police Officer Caitlin Figueroa arrived at the apartment to find the child bleeding profusely from his head. Although he was still alive, his injuries were severe. According to Mike Allinger, a spokesperson for the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department, investigators believe the child accidentally shot himself with his mother’s unsecured gun.
The incident report indicates that the shooting occurred within a six-minute window around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The child, whose name has been withheld due to his age, was immediately rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The mother was present at the time of the shooting. Allinger revealed that charges related to the incident are pending and could be filed as early as today. North Carolina is among the 26 states that have specific laws regarding gun safety in relation to child access and secure storage, according to research conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety.
Major Bret Balamucki emphasized the importance of responsibility in light of this tragic incident during a press conference. He urged everyone to be aware of the potential consequences of improperly storing loaded firearms. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.