Two children have been taken to hospital following two separate shootings over the weekend.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police believe the gunshot wounds were likely self-inflicted. Both children are in critical condition.
4-year-old shot on North Dearborn Street
Shortly after noon Sunday, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 3600 Block of North Dearborn Street on Indianapolis’ northeast side.
When they arrived, police found a 4-year-old boy in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound. Paramedics transported the boy to a local hospital.
After investigating the crime scene, police believe the shooting was an accident.
“We’ve talked about this many times and I can’t stress this enough: Guns are not toys,” IMPD Public Information Officer Drew Brown told Fox59 during a press conference.
“We don’t know exactly what the circumstances were that led to this. So I can’t say for sure because our investigators are still working on this. But we urge individuals who have firearms — especially if there are children in the home — that gun ownership and gun responsibility are one and the same. We can’t stress enough that gun safety measures need to be implemented.”
Details about the child’s age, gender and current condition were not available Monday morning.
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Child in critical condition after self-inflicted shooting in Golden Meadow Drive block
Shortly after 11:15 p.m. Sunday night, police responded to a report of a shooting involving a minor in the 4500 block of Golden Meadow Drive on the city’s northwest side.
When police arrived, they found a child in critical condition, suffering from gunshot wounds. The child was taken to Riley Hospital for Children after emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene.
IMPD believes the child was under 10 years old and believes the gunshot wound may have been self-inflicted. The gun did not have a safety lock, Fox59 reported.
“I can’t imagine what the parents are going through in a situation like this,” Police Capt. John Arvin told media during a briefing.
Arvin encouraged parents to put a lock on their firearms.
“Parents need to know that gun locks are free. And they are available, so if you have a gun in your home, there should be a lock on it, especially when our children’s lives are at stake.”
In 2023, 24% of youth-involved shootings investigated by Indianapolis police were ruled “unintentional.”
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the national gun safety program Project ChildSafe funded the gun locks. Gun locks are limited to two per person.
Police have not yet announced whether charges will be filed in either shooting.
This article is being updated.
Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com. IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 2 Indiana children in critical condition in self-inflicted shootings hours apart
