A four-year-old girl from Dyersburg is fighting for her life after suffering what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday evening. According to a social media post by the Dyersburg Police Department, responding officers arrived at the scene just before 10 p.m. to find the home empty but with signs of blood.
A male resident, returning as police secured the house, explained he was awakened by his girlfriend, inquiring about their daughter, as reported by WREG. After several unsuccessful attempts to rouse their unresponsive child on the couch, he transported her to the hospital himself before alerting the authorities. The father also admitted to police that he had neglected to secure a handgun in the living room before going to bed, forgetting it in a place his young daughter could evidently reach.
Currently, the child remains in critical condition. Dyersburg Police Chief Thomas Langford issued a statement about the incident, expressing the community's concern and highlighting the "necessity to keep all firearms secured and out of the reach of children," which was noted by the Dyersburg Police Department's post on social media.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains unclear hopping whether the father will face charges. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the child and her parents," Chief Langford was quoted in a report by Action News 5. More information will likely emerge as the Dyersburg police continue to unravel the circumstances leading to this tragic yet preventable incident.
