Indianapolis Toddler Kills Himself With Mom’s Handgun


An Indianapolis toddler killed himself with his mom’s handgun on Wednesday night. Although paramedics were called to the scene and attempted to perform CPR, it was simply too late. The toddler died of a single gunshot wound to the chest.

According to reports, the unidentified mother left the loaded handgun inside her purse on the kitchen counter. When his mother left the room, the Indianapolis toddler grabbed his mom’s handgun and accidentally shot himself dead.

Fox 59 reports the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was immediately called to the Alameda Road home. Unfortunately, the 2-year-old boy was found unresponsive.

As he did not respond to several attempts at CPR, the young boy was transported to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to WTHR, Metropolitan Police Department Captain Don Weilhamer confirmed the Indianapolis toddler shot himself with his mom’s handgun. However, authorities believe the shooting “was accidental.”

The mother, whose name was not released, was questioned by detectives and released. It is unclear whether she will face any criminal charges at this time.

Unfortunately, the Indianapolis toddler is not the only child injured or killed in an accidental shooting.

MSNBC reports an average of “7,000 children are hospitalized or killed due to gun violence every year.” Although a majority of the deaths and injuries were intentional, more than 2,149 were accidental.

Like the Indianapolis toddler, many children accidentally kill others, or themselves, with guns.

In February 2013, Sebastian Swartz, 9, shot and killed himself with his father’s Glock 9mm pistol. The shooting was ruled accidental, but his parents were charged with “felony child endangerment.”

In February 2014, Hank Bollen, 9, accidentally shot himself to death with his.22 youth rifle. NBC News reports the child was alone in the woods hunting squirrels when the incident occurred. According to reports, Bollen’s mother blamed a “faulty” youth rifle for her son’s death.

In September, 2014, Samuel Epps, 11, shot himself in the head with his father’s 9mm pistol. Although he did not have a history of mental illness, authorities are unsure if the shooting was intentional.

In March, gun rights activist Jamie Gilt, 31, was shot in the back by her 4-year-old son. Although she survived the shooting, Gilt came under harsh scrutiny for leaving her loaded pistol within her son’s reach.

The Huffington Post reports Gild stashed the gun under the passenger seat of her truck. According to reports, the gun slid under the seat and through to the rear floorboard. The 4-year-old boy reportedly unbuckled his seatbelt, grabbed the gun, and fired a bullet through the driver’s seat and into his mother’s back.

Although the shooting was clearly accidental, Gilt is now facing criminal charges of neglect because the loaded gun was within her son’s reach and was not outfitted with a safety device.

The Indianapolis toddler, who shot himself with his mom’s handgun, was killed in a similarly tragic accident. However, it is unknown whether authorities will charge his mother with any crime.

Captain Don Weilhamer confirmed the unidentified woman was released following questioning, but he said the investigation into the tragedy is not complete.

Accidental shootings often spark debate about gun ownership in the United States. Those who favor strict gun laws argue that guns are an accident waiting to happen. There is also great concern that the weapons will end up in the hands of criminals.

Those who oppose strict gun laws contend they are fighting for the rights of a majority of gun owners — who are generally responsible with their weapons. They further argue that laws simply will not prevent criminals from obtaining guns.

Tragedies, including the Indianapolis toddler who shot himself with his mom’s gun, only fuel the fire in these already heated debates.

[Image via bg_knight/Shutterstock]

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