Tot shoots, wounds parents, APD says

A toddler shot both of his parents on Saturday after reaching into his mother’s purse for her iPod, but found a loaded handgun instead, according to Albuquerque police.

Both people are expected survive.

The 3-year-old boy fired one shot, which struck his father in the right buttock. The bullet went out of his hip and then hit the woman, who is eight months pregnant, in the arm, said Albuquerque Police Department officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman.

The family, which also includes a 2-year-old girl, was living in the room at America’s Best Value Inn near Menaul and University where the shooting occurred, Drobik said. The man and woman each confirmed the story, but the two children won’t be interviewed until a later date because of their age. A 9mm handgun was found inside the motel room.

The shooting took place around 2 p.m. in a second floor room of the motel at 2018 Menaul NE.

Drobik was the first person on scene. He said he placed a tourniquet, which all APD officers carry, on the woman’s arm and he said she appeared seriously injured. She remained in a hospital Saturday night.

The state Children, Youth and Families Department took custody of the children for at least 48 hours, Drobik said.

He said police will recommend that the parents be charged with felony criminal negligence. Police didn’t release their names on Saturday.

“The child did the damage, but it was because of the negligence of the adults that the child was able to do this,” Drobik said. “If you are going to be a gun owner, you need to lock it up and keep it safe, especially around children.”

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