DETROIT (WXYZ) — A 6-year-old shot their baby sibling twice in Detroit Wednesday evening, police said.
It happened around 7:40 p.m. on the city's east side on Tennessee Street near Freud Street.
Police said the baby was in a bouncer when the 6-year-old shot the baby in the cheek and shoulder.
The baby was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.
Preliminary information indicates that the mother was down the street at a family member's house and that the father was in the backyard with other children and an uncle while working on a fence.
The gun was unregistered and not secured, investigators said.
Detroit Police Department Assistant Chief Charles Fitzgerald emphasized the victim's young age and how this "could have been preventable." Police initially said the victim is 1 years old but shortly after clarified that the baby is actually less than 1-year-old.
"Here we are again. Once again, another senseless, preventable, horrible incident for this young kid. It's a baby — it's 1-year-old," Fitzgerald said. "We're very, very fortunate that child is still with us."
Fitzgerald reminded the community about the importance of securing firearms.
"We're here far too often talking about securing the weapons. There are gun locks, there are gun safes, there are the highest shelf you can find in your house. Put the gun up as far as you possibly can."
Police remained at the scene Wednesday night and were working to get a search warrant for the home.
Everyone involved is cooperating with the investigation, according to Fitzgerald. Police will send their investigation to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, which could file charges.
