APOLLO BEACH, Fla. — A Florida man was arrested after a 5-year-old boy accidentally shot himself Thursday morning, officials said.
According to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on Thursday just after 8 a.m. that a 5-year-old accidentally shot himself and learned that Aston Simmons, 28, drove the child to a hospital.
When deputies arrived at the house, they reportedly smelled marijuana but were unable to locate a gun, according to WFLA. Deputies got a search warrant and found that the child had gotten his hands on an “unsecured, loaded gun” in a bedroom.
HCSO said that deputies allegedly found a couple of pounds of marijuana and money inside the house that they seized along with other “drug paraphernalia.”
“There is never a circumstance where a child should have access to a firearm. Now, due to the careless actions of this man, a 5-year-old child is fighting to survive. Please pray for him as he clings to life, and know that the irresponsible person that caused this devastation has been arrested and will be held accountable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the news release.
The child is currently in critical condition with serious injuries, according to WFLA.
HCSO said that Simmons and the child are not related. However, the child’s name will not be released. Investigators have also not revealed the relationship between Simmons and the child.
According to HCSO, Simmons is facing multiple charges, including improper storage of a firearm and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
The investigation is ongoing.
©2022 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
