Miami-Dade mother arrested after 6-year-old boy shoots self inside their home, sheriff's office says
The mother of a 6-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself with her gun inside their Miami-Dade home on Tuesday afternoon has been arrested, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.
According to information provided by the MDSO, Myeisha Sharie Smith, 33, is now facing a charge of child neglect with great bodily harm.
The incident took place just before 4 pm. Tuesday when deputies said Smith called 911 after reporting that she heard a popping sound and then found her son with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
First responders raced to the scene of the shooting in the area of 10143 Circle Plaza West. When they arrived, they found that Smith had actually taken her son to Jackson South Medical Center herself instead of waiting.
He was then flown to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital for treatment.
Neighbors told CBS News Miami that they didn't hear the actual shooting and only found out what happened when deputies quickly responded.
"I saw a bunch of police outside my house," one neighbor told CBS News Miami.
Another neighbor described the incident as "scary" and that she was shocked to hear what happened.
"It wasn't fatal, but it could have been much worse," Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Det. Joseph Peguero Rivera said.
He added that investigators are troubled by the incident.
"We want to remind members of the community that if you are a parent and you have children under the age of 16 and you own weapons, to please leave them in a secure area," he said. "Leave them in a safe box up in a closet. Somewhere out of the reach of children."
He said that as a parent he is particularly concerned.
"We want to educate our community," he said. "If you're not educated with firearms or anything with safety, there are courses out there that you may be able to reach and get educated."
The boy, who hasn't been identified, was described by neighbors as "adventurous" who loved to play outside.
He was last listed in stable condition and no other information has been released by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.