Toddler shoots himself in the head in Maricopa County, sheriff's office says
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - A toddler was rushed to the hospital after Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies say the boy shot himself in the head Thursday afternoon.
At around 3:40 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Main Street and Crismon Road on May 16 for a report of a shooting. That's when they found the injured boy.
"He was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Deputies are investigating this incident. This is all the information available for release at this time," said MCSO Sgt. Monica Bretado.
The shooting happened in Western Acres RV Park. Neighbors say they’re shocked to hear what happened.
A neighbor was home close to where the shooting happened and said he didn’t hear a gun shot. Others are learning what happened after coming home from work.
"I just saw the lights, then two ambulances and a sheriff and that's about all I heard," said a resident named Barbara Rau.
It's a sight residents say doesn't happen often.
"I'm still kind of shaken. I have tears. I had to Facebook my friends. Sad. Prayers," Rau said.
"It's devastating. He's three. I don't understand how a three-year-old could have a gun in their hands in the first place, let alone shoot themselves, so it's very upsetting and nerve-wracking," Jennifer Worth, a neighbor, said.
Neighbors are unsure who the child was, but are praying for him and his family.
"There's a reason why we have safes for our guns," Worth said. "We're supposed to have safety for it and not have them out."
The circumstances surrounding the shooting weren't detailed by MCSO.
No more information is available.