Police: 4-year-old boy shot himself with brother's gun at park

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WKRC) - A four-year-old boy is recovering after accidentally shooting himself with a family member's unsecured gun.

Middletown Police Chief David Birk says officers responded to Jacot Park on Grand Avenue Wednesday evening for a possible wounded child.

"The four-year-old's brother took him to the park along with his kids for a beautiful day out," said Birk. "The laws have changed about carrying permits. You don't have to have any training to carry a firearm."

Police say the little boy went back to their car to grab water. That's when he found the gun between the console and the seat and shot himself in the stomach.

Sasha Rivera works at a local daycare and visits the park regularly.

If you have children around, why would you have a weapon around?" said Rivera. "I started walking and thought, 'That could've been anyone.'

Chief Birk says the child's 27-year-old brother rushed him to Kettering Hospital, and is cooperating with police.

Just two weeks earlier, a three-year-old boy died in Hamilton after firing an unsecured gun.

Jason Kaufmann is a registered NRA member.

"It's horrifying. It should have never happened."Kaufmann said. "I am a gun person. I believe in the second amendment, but one of your first rights as a gun owner is to secure your firearm."

In Ohio, authorities do not have the legal right to penalize someone for failing to secure a firearm.

Although the law has changed, I think that gun owners have a responsibility and obligation to make sure those firearms are secure, out of reach of children and everyone," Birk said. "If you need a gun lock, come down here to the station and we'll give you one for free.

The chief did meet with the Butler County Prosecutor to talk about the possibility of a criminal charge like child endangerment. Local 12 will continue to provide updates.