A routine Friday in New Palestine turned into a frightening emergency when a 5-year-old child suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the abdomen inside a home, police said. Officers responded around noon to the 2400 block of South Carlota Drive, and the child was taken to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis in fair condition while investigators work to determine how the firearm became accessible.
In a post, the New Palestine Police Department said officers were called to the 2400 block of South Carlota Drive and that witness accounts led them to believe the shooting was accidental, according to reporting by WTHR. The department said the child was transported to the hospital for treatment and that the investigation is ongoing.
Child Treated At Riley Hospital
Paramedics took the child to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, which operates a Level I pediatric trauma center and treats complex injuries from across the region. Riley's trauma and pediatric surgery teams are equipped to handle emergency cases around the clock.
Unintentional Shootings By Children Remain A Public-Health Concern
Groups tracking the issue say unintentional shootings by children are a persistent concern. Everytown for Gun Safety has documented thousands of incidents over the past decade and found spikes in unintentional shootings during summer months. Public-health experts and advocacy groups say secure storage, keeping guns locked, unloaded and stored separately from ammunition, reduces the risk of these avoidable injuries.
Legal Context In Indiana
Indiana does not have a sweeping safe-storage mandate, but state law can expose adults to criminal liability if negligent storage allows a child to access a firearm, legal guides note. For a summary of how state statutes may apply, see a state legal guide from IndyJustice.
Police asked anyone with information, photos or video to contact the New Palestine Police Department. Tips can be made through the department's non-emergency line or social account, and authorities said they plan to release additional details as the inquiry continues.
