Detroit

Flint Toddler Dies from Self-Inflicted Gunshot, Father and Cousins Charged

AI Assisted Icon
Published on May 17, 2024
Flint Toddler Dies from Self-Inflicted Gunshot, Father and Cousins ChargedSource: Google Street View

A tragic shooting in Flint, Michigan, has left a 2-year-old boy dead and his father, along with two other men, facing serious charges. The Genesee County Prosecutor's Office reported that Cortez Legend Guy suffered a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound while at home on the city's north side. The shooting occurred early Wednesday morning, leading to the boy's death.

During a news conference, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton revealed that the boy's 26-year-old father and his two cousins are expected to be charged in connection with the incident. "Another 2-year-old is dead. This is the second one we've had here in Genesee County since this law took effect," Leyton said, "… This is a terrible tragedy. A little 2-year-old guy, he's gone," CBS News Detroit reports.

According to authorities, officers found the child with a gunshot wound to the head after being called to the 700 block of E. Philadelphia Avenue. WNEM reports that a Glock 22 .40-caliber pistol, registered to a 31-year-old Flint man who does not have a Concealed Pistol License (CPL), was discovered on a bed in a pool of blood at the scene. The boy was pronounced dead at Hurley Medical Center at 3:04 a.m. on Wednesday.

Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting the men had been smoking marijuana that evening. A "leafy green product," suspected to be marijuana, was found near where the blood trail led to the upstairs bedroom, WNEM states. The father initially told police that the child shot himself with an airsoft gun, but a real Glock pistol was identified as the weapon used in the shooting.

The charges laid against the father include violation of Michigan's safe storage law causing death, involuntary manslaughter, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and lying to a police officer concerning a violent crime investigation. Additional charges are possession of a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance, and three counts of felony firearm, as noted by WNEM.

The cousins are also facing charges that include violation of Michigan's safe storage law causing death and involuntary manslaughter as well as additional weapons crimes, as confirmed by ABC12. Leyton and the Michigan State Police have reiterated the importance of gun safety, stressing the availability of free gun locks at MSP posts to aid in the prevention of such incidents.

This shooting is the second instance in Genesee County involving a child since the enactment of Michigan's safe storage law. In February, a 3-year-old girl survived a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, leading to charges against her father for violating the same law. "I want the public to know I’m going to enforce this law to the fullest extent," Leyton said, as per WNEM in the aftermath of the recent tragedy.