Boy, 3, Accidentally Shoots Himself With Unsecured Gun Inside Metro Detroit Home: Police

WARREN, MI — A 3-year-old boy was seriously injured after accidentally shooting himself in the hand with an unsecured gun inside a Macomb County home Tuesday night, according to police.

The incident happened at 10:15 p.m. at The Cove Apartments in Warren, according to police.

The boy's 24-year-old mother brought him to Henry Ford Warren Hospital where he was listed in serious but stable condition, according to police.

While searching the home, investigators found an unsecured semi-automatic handgun, which they determined was accidentally fired. They believe it's the gun the boy used to fire a single round that struck him in the hand.

Police did not report any other injuries.

"While we are relieved the child is in stable condition, this tragedy was entirely preventable," Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins said. "We urge every gun owner to use gun locks and safes to ensure that weapons never fall into the hands of a child."

Police were still investigating the incident, any suspect involved could be charged under the state's Safe Storage Law. The law requires a gun owner to lock away their firearms if there is a minor in the house. If a child gets a hold of a firearm that wasn't properly secured and uses the gun, the owner can face multiple penalties, including up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.