2-year-old suffers fatal gunshot wound
A 2-year-old boy suffered a fatal gunshot wound in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood Sunday afternoon in an apparent accident, police said.
Milwaukee police responded to the shooting about 1:45 p.m. in the 1300 block of South 9th Street. Police believe children got a hold of a gun and accidentally fired it, striking the 2-year-old.
Police have arrested a 26-year-old man and expect to recommend charges to prosecutors in the coming days.
“The Milwaukee Police Department reminds the public to keep firearms in a secure area and out of the reach of children,” police said in a statement.
The 2-year-old boy is at least the third minor shot this weekend. An 8year-old boy was injured Friday evening in the 4700 block of North 44th Street and a 13-year-old boy was injured early Saturday morning in the 4300 block of North 53rd Street.
And in a Tuesday road rage incident, family members say basketball player Toniah Williams, 17, was shot in the back. She was paralyzed from the waist down, her family said.
Gun lock resources
The City of Milwaukee, in partnership with the nonprofit WestCare Wisconsin, offers free gun locks. The gun locks can be picked up at WestCare, 335 W. Wright St., and all three Health Department clinics located at 3200 N. 36th St., 7630 W. Mill Road and 1639 S. 23rd St.
The Milwaukee Fire Department provides free gun locks, with no questions asked, at its firehouse locations. A directory of firehouse locations is available on the city’s website.
The Milwaukee Police Department also provides free gun locks for free at district locations, although it is recommended that members of the public call in advance.