A tragic incident unfolded in Chicago as a man has been detained following the death of a two-year-old boy who reportedly found a gun and accidentally shot himself on Sunday.
The young victim has been named as Jamonte Shaw by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Community leaders who arrived at the scene expressed their hope that this heartbreaking event serves as a crucial reminder for parents and guardians to ensure firearms are securely stored away from children.
The unfortunate event took place on Sunday afternoon in a residence located at 104th and South Maryland streets.
The boy was immediately transported in critical condition to Comer Children’s Hospital, where, unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.
Currently, detectives and forensic experts are diligently working to piece together the circumstances that led to this tragic accident.
“We could talk about the lessons and things that we all have to learn from this, but the tragedy I think at this point, and the pain the family’s feeling, and the pain that we all should feel for this child who was just beginning,” Pastor Donovan Price. “We can’t keep losing our babies because of some adult things, and so, whether it’s gun locks or gun safety kits, or whatever the case may be, or just plain paying attention, we got to be proactive or pray active.”
It’s unclear exactly how the toddler was able to access the gun.
Police said a 31-year-old man is now in custody.
No word yet about possible charges, nor have police said what his relationship is to the toddler.
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