CRANSTON, Rhode Island - A Rhode Island 4-year-old is in critical condition after, police say, his father accidentally shot him in the head. Michael Jones is now charged in the incident.
Cranston Police said when they arrived at the family's Queen Street home, they found Jones, 33, holding his son in his arms. Police said Jones allegedly was in his bedroom with a 9-millimeter gun when he accidentally discharged it. The bullet went through the wall of the bedroom and hit the boy in an adjacent room.
Michael Jones. Cranston, Rhode Island, Police Department
Jones is on probation after a felony assault conviction and is prohibited from owning a gun. He will face multiple charges, including felony assault, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and firing in a compact area.
Paramedics took the child to Hasbro Children's Hospital to undergo surgery.
"This case is particularly difficult for all involved given the age of the victim and highlights the need to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited individuals. A tragedy like this hits home with our first responders, many of whom have children of their own. Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family as he fights for survival," Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael Winquist said.
MaximusMansteel on November 1st, 2023 at 13:09 UTC »
I used to be a paramedic. I responded to a call where a father had accidentally shot his four year old son in the face while they were playing. Apparently, he played some kind of shooting game with the kid and did it with a real gun, but didn't realize it was loaded.
That was the day I decided I needed a career change.
Legal-Finish6530 on November 1st, 2023 at 11:55 UTC »
I had a good friend in high school. She went home from school and her cousin was "cleaning" his gun. She was in front of him and the gun "accidentally" went off and hit her in the chest. She's been gone for almost 25 years now. It's all on the irresponsible gun owners
Self-Taught-Pillock on November 1st, 2023 at 08:51 UTC »
Damn. What a shame. I can’t imagine the colossal shame and regret realizing that by observing the stipulations of his parole, this wouldn’t have even happened.