Missouri deputy sheriff’s nephew, 2, shoots himself with uncle’s unattended service weapon at gathering

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

FERGUSON, MISSOURI: A tragic incident unfolded in Ferguson as a 2-year-old boy accidentally shot himself with a firearm belonging to a City of St Louis Sheriff's Department deputy on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Following the incident, the toddler was hospitalized with a stomach injury. According to The Kansas City Star, the 2-year-old sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen during the accidental shooting.

Fortunately, he has since been discharged from the hospital and is currently recuperating. 

It is reported that the child is the nephew of the deputy involved, as per KSKD. The deputy was released and is not in custody, as of Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

What did the detectives report?

Detective Sammy Numan of the Ferguson Police Department was present at the scene when the incident occurred. According to him, the 2-year-old boy was visiting the deputy when he gained access to the officer's service weapon.

"Children don't understand what guns are capable of and when they have it within reach, they're often curious. They want to play with it. They want to touch it.... Unload your guns. Invest in some gun locks," he emphasized.

Numan stressed that being in law enforcement doesn't exempt one from accountability. "I will hold you to a higher standard because you've been through the training," he added.

"You know the danger that's associated with guns.... If you're law enforcement or you're a regular civilian, for every action there is a reaction and consequences," he further said.

The Ferguson Police Department recommends that the deputy be charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor offense. The department plans to present the case to the city's prosecuting attorney's office on Thursday.

St Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts expressed condolences to the family of the injured child, stating, "Our prayers are with the family of this young man who was tragically injured. We are praying for his complete recovery. 

Betts continued, "This tragic accident is exactly why I mandate weapons safety training and safe storage including gun locks."

Toddler is 'making a good recovery' after shooting himself

The police department confirmed through a Facebook post that the 2-year-old is on the road to recovery following the shooting incident.

In their announcement, they stated, "We are relieved to report that the 2-year-old child involved in a recent accidental shooting is making a good recovery and may soon return home to his family."

Expressing gratitude to Detective Numan and the officers involved in handling the case, they emphasized the importance of properly securing firearms in households to prevent such tragedies.

The post also included statements from Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle, who said, "In the wake of the distressing incident where a two-year-old child accidentally shot himself with an unsecured firearm, our community is reminded of the urgent necessity for stringent gun safety,” 

Doyle added, “We are all saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers are certainly with this family. "

He concluded, "Thankfully, the child survived, but the emotional scars of this event will linger. I implore every gun owner to confront the reality of this preventable tragedy and take immediate action to secure their firearms.”