Beaufort 5-year-old critical after finding a gun, shooting himself Sunday, police say
A 5-year-old from Beaufort is in critical condition after grabbing a gun and shooting himself, Beaufort Police Department announced in a press release Monday.
Police received a 911 call from Spanish Trace Apartments on Sunday afternoon and followed a gray SUV with a gunshot wound victim inside to Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
They made contact with a 23-year-old passenger in the vehicle, who said her 5-year-old son had been accidentally shot in the head.
The child was taken to the emergency room and then airlifted to Medical University of Charleston, where he remains in critical condition.
“The initial investigation into the incident indicates that the victim gained access to a 9mm handgun inside the vehicle and accidentally shot himself,” the press release read.
The victim or family were not identified, and other details were not immediately available.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information about this shooting is encouraged to contact MSgt Charles Raley at 843-322-7914, or the Anonymous Tip Line at 843-322-7938.
Similar shooting in Port Royal
This case resembles a tragedy in December, when 3-year-old Thomas “Juice” Parker III, of Port Royal, died of a gunshot wound at the Oak Hill Terrace apartments.
He found the gun in a kitchen drawer of the apartment, Capt. John Griffith with the Port Royal Police Department told the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.
Police did not seek charges against his parents.
This story was originally published February 14, 2022 at 10:01 AM.