DETROIT — A 2-year-old child from Detroit was hospitalized Friday after shooting himself in the face with a pellet gun, authorities said.
The boy’s father was taken into custody after the incident, according to WXYZ-TV.
According to the Detroit Police Department, the boy was hit in the face and will lose a few teeth, WJBK-TV reported. He was listed in temporary serious condition, the television station reported.
Police originally said the boy was shot with a BB gun, but later amended it to a pellet gun.
“The gun was on top of a shelf and it fell somehow and a child gained access to the gun,” Cmdr. Keeth Williams, of the 5th Precinct, told reporters during a news conference. “Our officers have laid eyes on the kid, the kid is 2 years old, shot in the face doing better than expected, (but it is) still a very dangerous situation.”
It’s at least the fifth time so far this year that a child has been shot accidentally in the Detroit area, WXYZ reported.
The boy’s father was arrested on suspicion of child neglect, WDIV-TV reported.
“We have to send a message to not only parents, but the community as well,” Williams told reporters. “It’s important for parents to make sure their kids don’t have access to weapons and to keep them in a safe spot.”