KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A 3-year-old girl is in critical condition after accidentally shooting herself Saturday night in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The incident occurred when the child discovered a firearm in a vehicle and unintentionally discharged it.
Around 9 p.m., officers with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) responded to a report of a child with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The child’s parents were transporting her to the hospital when authorities arrived at the scene, which was located near E Vine Street and Portage Street.
Investigators learned that the young girl and her sibling had been left unattended in a vehicle parked outside a residence. The gun, legally owned by a concealed pistol license (CPL) holder, was stored in the center console of the vehicle. While inside, the girl accessed the firearm and shot herself.
The child remains in critical condition but is expected to recover, according to KDPS officials.
At this time, no arrests have been made, and the firearm, along with the vehicle, has been taken into police custody for further investigation.
Danielle Guilds, captain of the Criminal Investigations Division, addressed the situation, urging all gun owners to take necessary precautions to prevent similar incidents.
“While we are relieved to hear the child is on the path to recovery, this incident could have ended far worse,” Guilds said in a statement. “We urge all firearm owners to take every precaution to ensure their weapons are properly secured and inaccessible to children.”
