Detroit father charged after 11-year-old son shot by sibling with unsecured gun
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, a 38-year-old man has been charged after police said his 11-year-old son was shot by a sibling with an unsecured gun on Detroit's west side Wednesday.
The prosecutor's office says Muammar Markus Wallace of Detroit is charged with one count each of firearms – safe storage violation and felony firearm in the incident. At his arraignment Saturday, the bank security guard pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors say police officers were called to the shooting at a home on the 8000 block of Artesian Street around 2:19 a.m. They found the 11-year-old boy lying on the floor of the living room, suffering from a gunshot wound to the face. Police said he was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Wallace left his three children, ages 4, 8 and 11, unattended at the home before the shooting, according to prosecutors, who say his 8-year-old son found an unsecured handgun in the home and fired it, striking the 11-year-old boy.
"Mr. Wallace, this is a tough case, and sir, I'm certain that you are experiencing a number of emotional things as it relates to these allegations. I'm not here to punish you," the judge said during the arraignment.
At the court hearing, Wallace's attorney said he has no criminal record.
"We do address and acknowledge the severity and the allegations of the circumstances that resulted," Wallace's attorney said.
However, the judge did remind the father that police do give out free gun locks which could have prevented the incident.
"Whew, sometimes these cases are tough," the judge said.
Before setting the bond for Wallace, the judge paused the hearing, turning off her camera to take another look at the case.
"I try, I really try not to use bond for punitive measures, but to really look at the individual case and circumstances. I try to do what's right. I really do try. I am just glad the other child is ok. Of course there will be some long-term counseling that will be needed for both and probably for the family as a whole," the judge said.
Wallace's bond was set at $100,000. He's scheduled to be back in court on Oct. 20.
Detroit Police Commissioner Darryl Woods said Thursday that the 4-year-old and 8-year-old were living with a loved one following the incident.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison after the shooting on Wednesday called on all gun owners to make an inventory of their weapons and ensure they are secured.
