A 2-year-old is recovering in a Houston medical center and Beaumont police are searching for a 17-year-old they say accidentally shot the child inside a local apartment early Monday, then slipped away from the hospital before officers could question him. Investigators say there is now an active warrant for the teen.
What police say
Officers say the shooting happened inside a unit at the Plymouth Village Apartments on Helbig Road after a firearm was accidentally discharged. Detectives later located what they believe is the apartment where it happened, along with the vehicle used to rush the toddler to the hospital, according to The Beaumont Enterprise.
Police say the investigation began when a private vehicle pulled up to a Beaumont hospital just after midnight with a child suffering from a gunshot wound. Staff alerted authorities, and the toddler was stabilized, then airlifted to a Houston medical facility for further treatment.
Suspect identified
Beaumont police have identified the suspect as 17-year-old Javon Jean. Investigators say Jean accidentally fired the weapon, then drove the 2-year-old to the hospital in a private vehicle before leaving the area. Patrol officers later recovered the vehicle and processed the apartment scene, but have not found Jean, who now faces an active warrant for aggravated assault, as reported by FOX26 Houston.
How to help
Anyone with information about Jean’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Beaumont Police Department at (409) 832-1234 or Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at (409) 833-8477, officials said. Police say they have recovered the vehicle used to transport the child and are continuing to process the apartment, with evidence to be presented to prosecutors as the case develops, per The Beaumont Enterprise.
Legal context
The aggravated assault warrant is a felony-level allegation under Texas law. Whether the case moves through juvenile or adult court will depend on prosecutors and the specific facts investigators uncover. Texas law defines aggravated assault to include causing serious bodily injury or using a deadly weapon, and penalties can vary based on aggravating factors and prior convictions. The statute is outlined in the Texas Penal Code.
Why this matters
Authorities and safety advocates have repeatedly warned that unsecured guns in homes with children can turn routine moments into preventable emergencies. Earlier this year, Click2Houston reported on a case in which a 3-year-old accessed an off-duty deputy’s duty weapon and shot him in the hand, prompting renewed calls for safe-storage practices, according to Click2Houston.
