A heartbreaking accident unfolded Monday afternoon in a Detroit shopping center parking lot when a 6-year-old girl was fatally shot after accessing an unsecured firearm left inside a vehicle, authorities confirmed.
Detroit Police Assistant Chief Charles Fitzgerald, visibly emotional while addressing the media, described the incident as “horrible” and “completely preventable.”
What Happened
According to police, the child’s mother had parked at a shopping center to pick up food from a nearby restaurant. She left five children inside the vehicle unattended. An unsecured firearm was also inside the car.
At some point, one of the children ran toward the restaurant to get their mother’s attention. During that brief window, the 6-year-old girl was struck in the head by a gunshot.
Emergency responders rushed the child and family members to a nearby hospital. Tragically, the young girl did not survive.
“This Is Preventable”
Assistant Chief Fitzgerald stressed that incidents like this continue to happen despite repeated warnings about firearm safety.
“This is preventable,” he said, urging gun owners to secure their weapons properly. “We have safe storage for a reason. Secure your weapons.”
The tragedy follows another recent case in the city. Just a day earlier, another 6-year-old was injured after accidentally shooting herself with an unsecured firearm. Thankfully, that child is expected to recover.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are investigating how the weapon was stored and why it was accessible to the children. Once the investigation is complete, findings will be submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Michigan’s Gun Storage Law
Two years ago, Michigan enacted new gun safety laws requiring firearm owners to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked — either with a locking device or stored in a locked container — when minors are present.
Under state law, if a minor gains access to an improperly stored gun and harms themselves or someone else, the responsible adult could face serious consequences. Penalties may include:
- A felony charge
- Up to 10 years in prison
- A maximum fine of $7,500
- Or both
Mayor Calls for Renewed Gun Safety Efforts
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield called the loss “absolutely heartbreaking,” emphasizing that the tragedy was avoidable.
She announced that city officials will work alongside police and community partners to strengthen public education efforts on gun safety and provide additional training and resources aimed at protecting children.
“As a community, we cannot allow this to happen again,” the mayor said in a statement.
This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible firearm storage. Authorities continue to urge gun owners to take precautions that can prevent irreversible loss and protect children from accidental harm.
