Dad in custody after 11-year-old shot by sibling with unsecured gun, Detroit police say
The father of an 11-year-old who was shot by a sibling with an unsecured gun on Wednesday on Detroit's west side is in custody, police said.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison says the child, who was shot in the face with a handgun, was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition.
"It's deeply concerning. Our children should be in school. Our children should be monitored. There's no reason in the world in my mind that children should be left alone with ticking time bombs that we call weapons and guns," said Police Commissioner Darryl Woods.
The shooting happened in the 8000 block of Artesian Street. According to police, a neighbor called 911 at about 2:19 p.m. on Wednesday to report a shooting. Three children, ages 11, 9, and 4, were inside the home alone at the time of the shooting, Bettison said.
Police have not said which child fired the gun. The father's name has not been released, and no charges have been announced.
Woods confirmed that the other two children are now living with a loved one. He also confirmed that a man who CBS News Detroit saw being taken away in handcuffs was the father.
"This did not have to happen. It is a tragedy, and of course, we're going to do whatever we can to continue to protect our children here in the city of Detroit. We're just pulling for a good outcome and keeping our prayers and support around the family as well," said Mayor Mary Sheffield.
Michigan law requires firearms to be registered and secured when a minor is — or is likely to be — present.
"The responsibility that parents, gun owners have when they keep firearms in their home is to make sure that they're secure and that everyone is educated on how to secure it, unsecure it, and to use it," said Eyvette Hansberry.
FORCE Detroit Lead Community Care Manager Eyvette Hansberry says a warning alone is not enough.
"It's not sufficient. That is not sufficient. Telling them that don't touch it is not sufficient. Kids are curious. We are curious, curious as adults," said Hansberry.
Both FORCE Detroit and Detroit Police offer free gun locks — with no requirements to get one.
"This is so preventable," Bettison said. He said people often assume there is only one gun in a home. "I know people who don't even know how many guns they have in the house," he said.
Bettison asked gun owners to take inventory of their weapons and secure all of them, using a large gun safe if a gun lock doesn't work.
