Gary Police and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit are investigating the shooting death of a 5-year-old Chicago boy inside a relative’s Gary home in the 2400 Block of Fillmore St.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:00 this morning. Police have detained a 32-year-old Gary man who told officers that he was given permission from adults who reside at the residence to visit the home and check on a 17-year-old female Chicago resident and the child while the adults were away.
The witness alleges he arrived at the home early this morning after a night out. Entering the home and believing he was alone he placed his handgun down and fell asleep. He then told the police he was awakened by a loud noise and saw that the child was shot, and that he believes the child had accidentally shot himself. The visitor picked up the child, placed him in his lap and drove to the hospital seeking treatment. The child died because of his injuries.
“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic loss of a five-year-old child due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said. “This incident is shocking and heartbreaking, and it serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for responsible gun ownership and safety measures to protect our most vulnerable. We must come together, no matter what our differences, to promote comprehensive gun safety education and enforce stringent safeguards to prevent such devastating accidents from occurring in the future.”
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident please contact (219) 755-3855.
