Child Accidentally Shoots Himself In Newark, Police Say

NEWARK, NJ — A young child accidentally shot himself at a home in Newark on Thursday evening, authorities said.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, officers responded to a residence near Wainwright Street and Bragaw Avenue at 5:47 p.m. after getting a call about a shooting.

Police found a 3-year-old boy with a gunshot wound, which was later determined to be “accidental and self-inflicted.” A firearm was recovered at the scene, authorities said.

Emergency responders transported the injured child to University Hospital, where he remains in critical condition, police said.

Two other children were in the home at the time. Both are unharmed, authorities said.

A police investigation continues, authorities said Friday. No additional information was immediately available.

In the wake of the shooting, Newark safety officials asked gun owners in the city to make sure they store their firearms properly and follow some important safety advice:

• "Keep the gun unloaded and locked up in a cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case"
• "Secure the ammunition in a place separate from the gun"
• "Consider using a gun lock (a lock that makes the gun unable to fire)"
• "Hide the keys (or passcode) to the locked storage"

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