A 5-year-old Michigan boy is dead after a loaded gun in the hands of a 6-year-old boy “discharged” and struck the younger child.
Detectives continue to investigate the fatal shooting of a 5-year-old boy from Newaygo. Initial investigation reveals that two children found a firearm in the bedroom of their grandparents’ home. A 6-year-old boy had the firearm in his possession when it discharged and killed the…
— MSP Sixth District (@mspwestmi) April 3, 2024
The Michigan State Patrol said the two children found the unsecured gun in the bedroom of their grandparents’ home in Garfield Township Monday afternoon. The boy was dead when officers arrived.
Police said their investigation would be forwarded to the Newaygo County prosecutor for review when it’s complete.
“Hold your children tight tonight and give them an extra hug. Because this family is grieving,” Lt. Michelle Robinson said, according to WZZM.
A new law went into effect earlier this year in Michigan that requires gun owners to unload and secure unattended weapons if it’s reasonably known that children will be present.
“The one thing that we do want to stress to parents is to get gun locks for your firearms, if you have them in your home, you never know when tragedy will strike,” said Robinson. “And so we can’t reiterate that enough that there are police agencies throughout Michigan that do have those gun locks available. Just come in, they’re free of charge. Grab one and put them on the firearms that you have in your home.”
