A tragic incident in the Nations neighborhood unfolded on Monday when a child, who has been reported as nearly 3 years old, accidentally shot themselves in the head with an unsecured firearm. According to WKRN, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) responded to the shooting on the 3400 block of Elizabeth Jordan Street shortly after 12:15 p.m.
The child's mother discovered her son with a gunshot wound after being woken up by a loud bang, as stated in a press release from the MNPD. She and the child’s father then rushed their son to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where he was last reported in "extremely critical condition" by WKRN. The police recovered a nine-millimeter pistol from the scene and have initiated an investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragic event.
Neighbors expressed shock and distress over the shooting. Across the street, resident Taylor Jackson said he woke up to find police cars lining the road, telling WSMV, "That is why I try to talk to as many kids around here as I can," and expressed his hurt feelings upon hearing about the young child's injury. Some parents in the area reportedly had concerns about their children playing at the family's house due to a lack of parental supervision.
Following the incident, the MNPD has extended a reminder to gun owners about the availability of free gun locks at their headquarters and other locations to prevent similar occurrences. The Youth Services Division will review the case and consult with the District Attorney’s Office upon completion of the investigation, as per a statement from the police department obtained by WSMV. The details regarding how the child was able to access the weapon have yet to be clarified.
As the community grapples with this heartbreaking event, the MNPD has not released any further information, and it is not clear yet if any charges will be filed in connection with the shooting. The child remains in critical condition, and the case continues to be under investigation, with updates expected as more information becomes available, highlighted in a report by NewsChannel5.
