Police identify toddler who shot, killed himself in Oxon Hill
Updated: September 21, 2011 - 06:46 am
(WJLA, AP) Prince George's County police have identified the 2-year-old boy who accidentally shot and killed himself in Oxon Hill.
Julie Parker, a police spokeswoman, says investigators believe the gun was unsecured and in an area where the boy, Davion Prince, could reach it. The boy shot himself in the head Monday night in his family's apartment in the 6200 block of Oxon Hill Road. He was taken to a hospital in Washington, where he was pronounced dead.
"With a hammer pulled back, a handgun can have a hair trigger at less than a pound, a 2-year-old can easily pull the trigger,” said Cpl. Evan Baxter of the Prince George's County Police when asked if a child can shoot himself.
Police say the boy was in a separate room from his mother when he fired the gun. His mother reportedly told officials she heard a gunshot and then found her son fatally injured.
“Investigators need to determine whose gun it was and why it was in the house. That's going to play a big part in how they proceed and whether the guardian was negligent in letting the child alone in the room,” Baxter said.
Family from Alabama arrived Tuesday to comfort the grieving mother.
Michael Pittman lives in the same Oxon Hill apartment building and frequently saw the boy and his mother. “You got to keep it locked away, but a little 2-year-old, they get into everything so they might, who knows, he might of found it and nobody knew he found it,” Pittman said.
Jose Chura, another neighbor, was more critical. "There really shouldn't be any gun like in the children’s view anyway,” he said.
There have been several shootings involving children in the area recently. In June, a 5-year-old shot a 4-year-old in Hillcrest and about a month ago a Glenarden toddler was hit in the face by stray gunfire.
RecommendedRecent Facebook Activity
Only On 7
-
WIN FREE PIZZA FOR A YEAR FROM ABC7!
"Like" ABC7 on facebook and you could win an entire year of free pizza from ABC7 and Papa John's! Enter by 4pm this Friday! Winner will be announced on ABC7 News at 5 Friday!
TBD Blogs What you need to read
-
@TBD Arts
Wale hits ESPN, spars with Skip Bayless over LeBron vs. D-Wade
-
The Market Report
Woman avoids grocery stores for two years, forgets how to shop
-
@TBD On Foot
These people think they can go without a car for a day
Best of TBD In case you missed it
-
The worst meals in America
Here's a visual look at the eight most delicious, disgusting meals in the country.
