HICKORY, N.C. — The Hickory Police Department reports a child is in critical condition after accidentally shooting himself with a handgun Saturday morning.
On Feb. 26, the department said they responded to a home along 3rd Avenue Southwest and to a hospital after they learned the 4-year-old boy found a handgun in his home. According to officers, a family member who was inside the home immediately called 911 for help, and another family member was able to take the boy to the hospital.
“This is a tragic situation and our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time," the department said in a statement.
Allen Mitchell, Jr. identified the 4-year-old as his step-grandson, Kyrie.
He said Kyrie is scheduled to have surgery Monday at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem.
Mitchell said Kyrie is now moving the right and left sides of his body.
"Kyrie's strong. He's a fighter," Mitchell said. "God is good. We feel the prayers. The family feels the prayers. Ask that you all just keep praying for them."
Mitchell said he was at work when the shooting happened.
Hickory Police Sergeant Randy Isenhour said the department gives away free gun locks to anyone who comes to their headquarters.
"There's no such thing as a safe place to hide a weapon," Sgt. Isenhour said. "You need to do something to make that weapon safe."
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with more information can call Hickory police at 828-328-5551.
Contact Brandon Golder at bgoldner@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.