CHARLESTON - A Franklin County 4-year-old is recovering from an accidental shooting at his grandmother's home last Friday. 5NEWS spoke with Franklin County investigators about what happened and how the boy is doing three days later.
"I can't stress enough how important gun safety is." Franklin County criminal investigator Robert Limbocker hopes that this first accidental shooting of the season will be a lesson for everyone.
Investigators say 3 and 4 year-old cousins were playing in a back bedroom when their grandmother heard a shot. 47-year-old Toni Arndt told police that she found the four year old bleeding from a gunshot wound to the knee. A sheriff's report states that instead of calling 911, Arndt asked a neighbor to drive them to help. The 4-year-old boy was first taken to North Logan Mercy Hospital in Paris before being transported to Children's Hospital in Little Rock. His grandmother rode in the ambulance with him. He's said to be doing well.
"He is in stable condition at this time," Limbocker said.
The grandmother told authorities that the 22 rifle was hanging on a wall rack at her home on Gammill Street in Charleston. It happened around 1:40 Friday. Sgt. Limbocker says the 4-year-old victim lives with Arndt, while her other three year old grandson was visiting. A Paris patrolman was the first to arrive at the hospital and take an initial statement. Limbocker later spoke with the woman while she was enroute to Little Rock.
We're told the Department of Human Services is assisting with the case and the investigation is ongoing.
"I'm currently waiting to receive some more statements and interviews that were conducted at Little Rock," Limbocker explained.
The investigator says any decision about possible charges in the case will be decided by Franklin County prosecutor David Gibbons and his office.
"I can't stress enough how important gun safety is." Franklin County criminal investigator Robert Limbocker hopes that this first accidental shooting of the season will be a lesson for everyone.
Investigators say 3 and 4 year-old cousins were playing in a back bedroom when their grandmother heard a shot. 47-year-old Toni Arndt told police that she found the four year old bleeding from a gunshot wound to the knee. A sheriff's report states that instead of calling 911, Arndt asked a neighbor to drive them to help. The 4-year-old boy was first taken to North Logan Mercy Hospital in Paris before being transported to Children's Hospital in Little Rock. His grandmother rode in the ambulance with him. He's said to be doing well.
"He is in stable condition at this time," Limbocker said.
The grandmother told authorities that the 22 rifle was hanging on a wall rack at her home on Gammill Street in Charleston. It happened around 1:40 Friday. Sgt. Limbocker says the 4-year-old victim lives with Arndt, while her other three year old grandson was visiting. A Paris patrolman was the first to arrive at the hospital and take an initial statement. Limbocker later spoke with the woman while she was enroute to Little Rock.
We're told the Department of Human Services is assisting with the case and the investigation is ongoing.
"I'm currently waiting to receive some more statements and interviews that were conducted at Little Rock," Limbocker explained.
The investigator says any decision about possible charges in the case will be decided by Franklin County prosecutor David Gibbons and his office.
