A devastating incident unfolded on the near southwest side of Indianapolis this past Tuesday, when a toddler suffered a gunshot injury. According to WTHR, authorities were dispatched around 5 p.m. to the vicinity of West Morris and Harding streets following reports of a shooting. In the aftermath, two individuals, a 26-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, have been arrested on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent.
The initial call directed officers to the 2600 block of South Belmont Avenue, but it was later updated, pointing them instead to a parking lot at the intersection of South Harding Street and West Morris Street. Found at the scene in a Wendy's parking lot was the young male toddler, who appeared to have been shot and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The toddler, caught in the tumult of gunfire, as reported by FOX59.
Closer to midnight, emergency surgery was conducted on the injured 3-year-old boy, with a family member reassuring WTHR that the toddler is expected to recover. The investigation into how the toddler came into contact with a firearm continues.
According to the same family member, the child was all alone found the loaded gun and shot himself accidentally. As reported by CBS4 Indy, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department continues their efforts to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
