Toddler Accidentally Shot and Killed Himself With Father's Gun at 3 a.m., Police Say

WAUKEGAN, IL — The 3-year-old boy who was shot and killed in his Waukegan home early Thursday morning has been identified as Jeremiah Banks, who lived in the Greenfield Avenue residence where he was found with his mother and father.

Police in Waukegan believe that the gunshot wound Banks suffered was self-inflicted. An initial autopsy report from the Lake County Coroner’s Office indicates Banks died from a single gunshot.

Officers arrived at the residence in the 1100 block of Greenfield Avenue at 3 a.m. after Banks’ mother called 911 and notified them her son was shot. Upon arrival, police found Banks shot in the head. He was transported to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan, where he was pronounced dead.

Read More: 3-Year Old Boy Shot and Killed Overnight at Home in Waukegan

Detectives investigating the case believe the boy woke up just before 3 a.m., went into his parents’ bedroom, took his father’s handgun — a 9 mm semi-automatic Diamondback — from off the top of the dresser, went into the living room and shot himself in the head.

Police say the father owns another weapon, a rifle, and is in possession of a valid firearm owner’s identification card. Both weapons were seized by police in the investigation.

No charges have been filed.

Detectives will now meet with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to review the case for possible charges.