Toddler Shot in Chest in Houston; Second Child Incident Today

Toddler Shot in Chest in Houston; Second Child Incident Today

Houston police are investigating after a three-year-old boy was shot in the chest and taken to urgent care on the city’s east side. The incident occurred around 2:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, marking the second time a young child has been shot in Houston on the same day. Officials stated the child is in serious but stable condition and is expected to survive.

Details of the Shooting Emerge

Officers were called to an urgent care facility located at 8500 Gulf Freeway after the child arrived with a gunshot wound. Medical staff at the facility provided initial care before the fire department transported the boy to an area hospital. The child was accompanied by two adults, believed to be his parents, who were reportedly very upset.

The parents told police that the shooting was the result of an unintentional or negligent discharge of a firearm. However, they were unable to provide specific details about how the incident happened. Authorities do not yet know if the child himself had the gun, if another child was involved, or if an adult was responsible for the discharge.

Investigation Underway, Scene Being Sought

Investigators are working to gather more information from the parents, who are currently at the hospital with their son. The parents indicated the shooting took place in an apartment located off of Broadway, but they did not know the exact address. Police are dispatching officers to the area to try and locate the scene, secure any potential evidence, and search for the firearm involved.

Lieutenant Larry Krauss of the Houston Police Department confirmed that while the parents seemed distraught, officers are interviewing them to get clearer statements. There is an assumption that the apartment complex off Broadway is where the family lives, but this is still being confirmed. The situation presents more questions than answers at this early stage of the investigation.

Child Arrived by Private Vehicle

The child was brought to the urgent care facility by his parents in a private vehicle. Staff at the urgent care provided immediate medical attention. Emergency services, including the fire department, responded to the scene and then transported the child to the hospital for further treatment.

Second Child Shooting Incident in Houston

This shooting is the second involving a toddler in Houston on the same day. Officials did not have details on the other incident, which was being handled by the sheriff’s department, but acknowledged the tragic repetition. The repeated nature of such events prompted a strong message from law enforcement regarding firearm safety.

“Unfortunately, I have to give this warning several times a year. You need to lock your firearms up. We don’t know if a child located this. We don’t know if somebody else was using the firearm, but you know, lock the firearm up so the child can’t have it. If you are dealing with a firearm as an adult, don’t do it around kids. You know, be safe about where you’re going to do it. Point it in a safe direction. Don’t do it around children.” –
Lieutenant Larry Krauss, Houston Police Department

Call for Firearm Safety

Law enforcement is urging gun owners to take strict precautions to prevent such accidents. Lieutenant Krauss emphasized the importance of securing firearms to prevent children from accessing them. He also advised adults to exercise extreme caution when handling firearms, especially around children, stressing the need for safe storage and responsible use.

The police department is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. They are working to determine the exact location where the incident occurred and recover the firearm. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses and more information is gathered from the child’s parents.

Source: 3-year-old taken to urgent care with gunshot wound, Houston police say (YouTube)