Indiana boy dies after gun tucked in father's pants goes off and hits him in the head while play-wrestling
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA: A four-year-old Indiana boy has died four days after being accidentally shot in the head by a gun his father had hidden in his pants.
The toddler, Tripp Shaw, was injured on Sunday, January 19, night, when a Glock semi-automatic handgun that his dad, Tyler Shaw, had tucked in the small of his back went off when the two were play wrestling on the bed, stated a report by New York Post.
According to IndyStar, the police reported that the incident occurred around 8 pm at their Bloomington residence. Talking about the incident, Sheriff Brad Swain said the boy's mother and two-year-old sister were also in the house at the time.
Authorities have sent the Glock to be tested for defects that may have caused it to go off. A release regarding the boy's death was sent on Friday, January 24, noon which said the case would remain active under Monroe County Sheriff's Office investigators.
It is yet to be ascertained if there will be any criminal charges filed pertaining to the shooting. Tyler was struck in the head with the same bullet, and initially, his injuries were said to not be life-threatening.
However, the situation worsened and the toddler died on Thursday, January 23.
It was also reported that a person in Indiana could be charged with felony criminal recklessness if he/she "recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally performs an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person".
Talking to Fox59, neighbor Kaili Frye said: "It's horrifying. It's heart wrenching. I can't even imagine what they're going through." She stays next door to the Shaws.
"I mean I can't even imagine the situation they're in, but I can guarantee it was an accident and it's unfortunate," Frye said. In the meantime, friends and family have started a GoFundMe campaign for the Shaws to help with "financial stress", added the report.
Titled, #ShawStrong, the page description reads: "It takes a village to help through an accidental tragedy. The Shaw family has been through so much in this situation."
The page also updated details about Tripp's death. "It is with great sadness that I update the Tripp passed away yesterday morning. Little Tripp passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved him the most."