A man and a woman were injured in New Mexico yesterday after their 3-year-old son accidentally shot them.
According to the Associated Press, the toddler was at a Albuquerque, N.M. motel with his parents when he reached for an iPad, but found—and discharged—the weapon instead. The bullet first struck the boy's father, Justin Reynolds, in the buttock, then hit his mother, Monique Villescas, in the right shoulder. The Associated Press adds that the boy's mother is eight months pregnant.
Reynolds described the scene to KOB-TV:
It was like if I was to get up shake your hand and sat back down. That's how fast it happened, Reynolds said. All of a sudden we heard a gun go off and the next minute I realized my girlfriend was bleeding. Then, I sat down and realized I was shot, too.
I was more worried about my girlfriend than myself and anything else that was going on. And my son because I didn't know if he had shot himself or not, said Reynolds. He was shocked and crying. It was traumatizing.
The couple's 2-year-old daughter was present at the time of the incident, but did not sustain any injuries.
Reynolds was released, while Villescas was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Simon Drobik, spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said the District Attorney's office will review the case to determine if criminal negligence charges will be filed against the boy's parents.
[via Associated Press]
