A Southeast Pennsylvania man was arrested and charged Wednesday after an investigation found his 2-year-old son shot himself with an unsecured and unattended firearm, officials said.
Luis Marin, 34, is accused of leaving his loaded firearm on his bed and within reach of his young son, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Pottstown Police Chief Mick said Thursday in a joint statement.
The child then grabbed the firearm and shot himself causing injuries that included broken ribs, a fractured scapula and damage to his left lung,
The incident occurred on May 15 at Marin’s residence in Pottstown, in Montgomery County, some 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
According to investigators, just before the shooting, Marin went into his bedroom to grab a crossbody bag, which normally holds his two handguns and ear protection, to lend to his nephew.
After emptying the bag on his bed and handing it to his nephew, he began playing with his phone. That’s when he heard a gunshot and realized his son had fired the weapon, prosecutors said.
The boy’s mother, who’d just arrived home, drove Marin and their son to Lehigh Valley Hospital.
The child suffered serious injuries but survived.
“There was also a burn mark and stippling on the boy’s skin, indicative of the firearm being pressed against his skin or in very close contact when the gun was fired,” the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
Marin was arrested Wednesday on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person. His bail was set at $50,000 unsecured with the provision that no firearms be kept in the home.
“This shooting is a frightening reminder to parents that children, even very young children, can and do find unsecured firearms in a home, and their inclination is to play with them,” Steele said in a statement. “Thankfully, this 2-year-old boy survived the shooting.”
Marin is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 8.
