Mayor Sheffield Condemns Shooting of 2-Year-Old in Detroit

A 2-year-old fights for life after shooting on Detroit’s west side

A 2-year-old child is in critical condition after being shot by an unsecured firearm near Evergreen Road and I-96 on Tuesday morning, according to a report from WDIV ClickOnDetroit.

Mayor Mary Sheffield and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) celebrated the grand opening of Whittier Bodega, a new neighborhood grocery store and deli on Detroit’s east side! 🛒 pic.twitter.com/ycJfHuP1hr

— https://x.com/CityofDetroit/status/2115951532097364192

The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. inside a home on the city’s west side. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison stated that the child’s mother was cooking breakfast when she heard a loud pop, leading her to discover the child had been shot. A 4-year-old sibling was also present in the home at the time of the shooting but was not harmed.

Investigators are still working to determine the exact circumstances of the discharge. It remains unclear whether the 2-year-old fired the weapon or if another individual in the home was responsible for the shot.

Mayor Sheffield responds to unsecured firearm incident

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield expressed deep distress following the news, stating she is both “heartbroken” and “angry” about the preventable tragedy. In a statement released to Local 4, the Mayor emphasized that while children cannot grasp the lethal nature of a loaded weapon, the adults responsible for firearm safety bear the burden of oversight.

“A 2-year-old should be playing, laughing and discovering the world, not fighting for their life because an unsecured gun was within reach. My heart is with this child and their family. I am heartbroken, and I am angry. Our children cannot be expected to understand the danger of a loaded gun. But the adults responsible for keeping it out of their reach know better, and there is no excuse.”

The Mayor underscored that the responsibility of gun ownership includes ensuring firearms are unloaded, locked, and stored securely, with ammunition kept in a separate location. She cautioned residents against the assumption that a weapon is safe simply because it is hidden or placed on a high shelf.

As of Tuesday afternoon, no one has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. Local authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter. To assist with home safety, Mayor Sheffield noted that free gun locks are available for residents at Detroit Police Department precincts.