Columbia Police Department (CPD) officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accidental shooting of a 2-year-old girl. At last check, the child was in stable condition at a local hospital.
The incident occurred at the 800 block of Duke Avenue shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 26, 2021.
The toddler found the unsecured gun inside a bedroom and accidentally shot herself in the lower body. When the shooting occurred, the child was reportedly with an adult male and other children.
Initially, CPD officers were dispatched to 5 Medical Park Drive after relatives drove the child to a local hospital after the shooting. Officers went to the incident location and gathered information from additional people.
Here are a few gun safety tips to remember:
- Always assume that a found gun is loaded
- Never leave a loaded and unsecured firearm within the reach of a child or vulnerable adult.
- Properly secure your firearm with a gun lock and in a gun case or gun cabinet. ** CPD provides FREE gun locks to the public **
- Teach children about the dangers of firearms — Devise a family plan and explain a “Don’t touch” lesson for your family