Hampton Police issued a correction Wednesday morning, stating the victim is a one year old, not 7 months old as previously reported
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — A 1-year-old was transported to the hospital after a shooting on Tuesday afternoon in Hampton, police said.
The preliminary investigation revealed another juvenile with an unsecured firearm accidentally shot the victim, police said.
Around 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, Hampton police responded to a call in reference to a shooting in the 100 block of Clyde Street. Officers found the 1-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound. The child was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
All parties have been identified, according to police, but no information regarding suspects or any arrests have been released.
Chloe Anderson, a neighbor, remembered seeing the large police response.
“When I was pulling in my driveway, I just saw a bunch of cop cars,” Anderson said. “I had to leave my house again and they had blocked off the street. So I had to go all the way around to get out of my neighborhood.”
She didn’t know the young age of the victim until 10 On Your Side broke the unfortunate news to her.
“Oh my God that’s terrible,” she said in response.
10 On Your Side spoke with local activist Troy Ketchmore of Ketchmore Kids about the importance of safely securing firearms.
“We have to especially if you have a legal right to have a firearm, then we have a responsibility to keep it put, keep it properly secure it so that nobody gets hurt by mistake,” Ketchmore said.
He said there are several places where people can get gun locks for free.
“Every Friday this month, at Denbigh community, hand to hand will be set up. You can come get a free lock. Or if you’re in Hampton, you can contact the Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities headed by Latisha Handy. We have multiple partners where we can get you a free lock.”
If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.
