Security guard’s 2 year old son dies from gunshot wound
GLADSTONE, MO September 28 2019 Authorities say a 2-year-old boy died after finding an unsecured gun and shot himself in a Gladstone apartment.
Officers were called just before 6 p.m. Tuesday to the 100 block of Northeast 59th Terrace. Police say the boy was suffering from a gunshot wound when officers responded. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died.
Angela Lee is the grandmother of the young boy that was shot where her son lives. She said he works as an armed security guard and that the child had found the gun her son used for work and shot himself.
“He thought he had unloaded his gun and put it up, but he didn’t happen to,” Lee said.
Gladstone police are reminding gun owners to put their weapons away. Like many departments, they even give away free gun locks that keep the weapon from firing.
“Kids are curious. Kids want the shiny objects, the guns,” Captain Rob Hays with Gladstone police said.
Officers said they’re still investigating the death, but right now, neither parent faces charges.
“It can happen to anybody. It takes just a few seconds for a child to pick up a gun and harm themselves,” Hays said.
It’s the message Lee’s family wants to send too.
“Let’s check them and put them up from kids,” Lee said.
She says no parents should suffer a loss like this one.
“Just love them. Don’t say it couldn’t happen to you, because it can,” Lee said.
KCTV/AP
