A 3-year-old girl is reportedly in critical but stable condition after she accidentally discharged a firearm, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. The incident occurred last Saturday when the child and a sibling were left unattended in a car. The firearm was found in the vehicle's center console. MLive reported that a concealed pistol license holder legally owned the weapon.
Police responded after the parents, who had been transporting her to the hospital, filed a report about the self-inflicted gunshot wound. Found in a car parked on the 700 block of East Vine Street, the incident has prompted police to reiterate the gravity of responsible gun storage. "This incident is a sobering reminder of the life-threatening consequences of unsecured firearms," as was stated in a statement reported by WZZM13 from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Despite the child's expected recovery, no arrests have been made while the case remains under active investigation.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, which secured the vehicle for further investigation, reports that while a full recovery is expected for the young child, the episode serves as a harsh lesson on gun safety. Captain Danielle Guilds of the Criminal Investigations Division expressed relief that the child is recovering, emphasizing in statements by WZZM13, "We urge all firearm owners to take every precaution to ensure their weapons are properly secured and inaccessible to children."
