A 3-year-old boy fatally shot his mother with his father’s gun while they were sitting in their car.
The tragic incident took place in Dolton, Chicago, where a 3-year-old boy shot his mom, 22-year-old Daejah Bennett, with the gun of his father, 23-year-old Romell Watson.
According to the reports, the family was sitting in their car after doing some shopping at a local Food 4 Less when the boy, who was seated in the back of the car, got his hands on his father’s gun and fatally shot his mother.
“He somehow got ahold of the gun and began playing with it in a playful manner, pointed the gun and fired the shot,” Dolton Police Chief Robert Collins Jr. said.
“We do not have anything to indicate that the dad fired the weapon so the avenue we are pursuing is that the gun was his responsibility.”
Following the shooting, the young woman was pronounced dead and the boy’s father was detained. He has reportedly been released after being processed on a misdemeanor gun charge.
While the detectives confirmed that Watson legally owned the gun used in the shooting, he didn’t possess a concealed carry permit.
“He was legally entitled to own the gun, however, he transported the weapon in a vehicle in a manner not prescribed by law,” Collins added.
The authorities have since confirmed that no foul play is suspected and that the child underwent a forensic interview.
“The child said he was the one who fired the gun. We are confident he fired the gun. This is just such a tragedy,” a specialist who conducted the interview revealed.
Meanwhile, Dolton community activist Andrew Holmes confirmed that local groups are “trying to get trauma counseling” for the child and his family.
“Children are getting these guns more often now because they roll out from under the seat, or they go in the pouch and pick it up,” Holmes added.
“If you’re going to put them in the car, lock them down.”
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