Police say one bullet struck boy in hand, passing vehicle also

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the apparent accidental shooting of a 2-year-old boy that took place Monday morning in a Macomb Township mobile home park.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to McLaren Macomb hospital in Mount Clemens about 10:30 a.m. to respond to a report that a child had been brought in with a gunshot wound to the hand.

The child, who was conscious, was brought in by his father, sheriff’s Sgt. Renee Yax said in a news release.

Deputies were told the handgun had been left out briefly in the family’s home at Westbridge Manor mobile home park on Chateau Thierry Blvd., in the area of Hall and Card roads in Macomb Township. The child encountered the weapon, fired it and a bullet struck his right hand, according to the release.

The father heard the gunshot and immediately began to render aid to the boy. He then drove the child to the hospital, where the boy was treated. He is reported to be in stable condition.

Several other people, including an adult and children, were inside the home when the shooting took place. They were not injured. All of the involved people have cooperated with authorities, Yax said.

Investigators said the handgun is registered to the child’s father.

“This appears to be a very unfortunate incident that could have easily been deadly,” Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said in a statement. “Possessing a weapon is a great responsibility that comes with many risks, especially when children are involved. Please do not leave weapons anywhere that a child can access it, even if just for a second.”

At the same time, Clinton Township police took a report from a motorist traveling on Hall Road near the Westrbidge Manor mobile home park who said the rear window of his car had been shot out.

Clinton Township Detective Capt. Richard Maierle said officers took a malicious property destruction report from the driver, a 53-year-old Troy man driving a black 2017 Lincoln MKZ east on Hall Road.

The driver was not hurt, Maierle said. A spent bullet was located inside of this vehicle having the same caliber of the gun that injured the boy.

“Once we were able to put two and two together, we realized it was the bullet fired in the Macomb Township incident,” Maierle said.

Both agencies are working together to determine if the incidents are related.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and will give further updates at a later time.