MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 14-year-old was accidentally shot by an 8-year-old child Friday, Memphis Police said.
The shooting happened around 9:40 p.m. Friday in the Hillview Village Apartments off Alcy Road.
The teenager was taken to a hospital in critical condition. He told police the 8-year-old girl was playing with a gun before she accidentally fired it, striking him.
Police say that a man named Kevin Owens, 33, was arrested in connection with this shooting. Police said Owens is the guardian of the younger child, as well as for two more children who were in the house
Owens told police he was home when the shooting happened.
“We just feel like it wasn’t right,” the victim’s cousin said. “You’re supposed to be put it up when you see that they’re there. He shouldn’t have even had it out. Or if he had it out, he should have taken it away when he went away. He shouldn’t have had it on the table.”
Owens has been charged with three counts of child neglect and one count of aggravated child abuse/endangerment.
Police also tweeted a reminder that the police department gives away gun locks for free. Gun locks are available at any precinct in the city.
The is the fourth time in 2019 that someone has been shot by a child less than 12 years old.
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