A 2-year-old child was accidentally shot in the hand on Tuesday inside the Courtyard at Ironworks apartment complex in North Memphis and was taken to a hospital in noncritical condition, officials said. Residents said the scene was chaotic and frightening, with one neighbor finding the injured child and racing to get help as others looked on in shock. The Memphis Police Department has opened an investigation into how the toddler gained access to the firearm.
Police say the shooting happened inside the Courtyard at Ironworks, about a block from Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, according to FOX13 Memphis. Early reports from the station say the child suffered a gunshot wound to the hand and was transported to a hospital in noncritical condition. Officers canvassed the complex while detectives followed leads and spoke with residents, police said.
"I found the child injured and I acted quickly," a neighbor told FOX13 Memphis, according to the station. Other residents told the outlet they are demanding more information from property management and say the incident has left families on edge. Investigators have asked anyone with information about what happened inside the apartment to come forward.
Why child shootings keep happening
Tennessee has one of the highest rates of child gun deaths in the country. An investigation by the Institute for Public Service Reporting found the state's child gun-death rate to be roughly 36 percent above the national average. The series documented dozens of preventable incidents in Tennessee in recent years, many involving young children who found unsecured firearms.
National research from Everytown for Gun Safety shows that nearly 360 children unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else each year, a statistic advocates frequently cite when calling for more consistent safe-storage practices at home.
What experts recommend
Pediatricians and safety groups say the most effective prevention tool is still basic but often ignored: keeping firearms unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition, guidance spelled out by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Clinicians recommend lockboxes, trigger or cable locks, and routine counseling for families about secure storage.
Residents and advocates said this latest incident underscores what they see as a pressing need for landlords and community organizations to share gun-safety resources and reminders with tenants, especially in homes where children live or visit.
Memphis police said the probe is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact the department or CrimeStoppers. This story will be updated if authorities release additional details.
