In Wichita, Kansas, a three-year old found a gun and shot herself and her father while he was sleeping. The girl was struck in the hand and her father was struck in the leg. Both were treated at the hospital. Police are investigating how the firearm was stored. During the investigation, three other children have been placed in protective custody. Today’s accident was the second unintentional shooting incident involving a Kansas child in less than a week.
In La Place, Louisiana, Da’Juan Waxter, age 20, was handling a gun when it accidentally fired. The round passed through a wall and struck a 14-year girl old in the back. After Waxter attempted to dispose of the gun in a trash can, he was arrested and charged with negligent injuring, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, obstruction of justice and illegal use of a weapon.
Sources:
Ryan Newton, “WPD: 3-year-old Girl Injured in Wednesday Shooting, 3 Other Children in Protective Custody,” KSN.com (July 15, 2021).
Michelle Hunter, “14-year-old Girl Accidentally Shot in LaPlace Home; Baton Rouge Man Arrested,” NOLA.com (July 14, 2021).