A 4-year-old boy from Akron is in critical condition after accessing an unsecured handgun and accidentally shooting himself, according to police.
Police arrived at a home in the 1000 block of Edmeyer Court around 12:30 p.m. Saturday for a shooting.
Officers determined that the boy shot himself after a preliminary investigation.
Investigators learned the boy found the gun in a bedroom.
He was transported to Akron Children's Hospital where he remained in critical condition on Monday.
"These types of things happen far too often. This is very painstaking. This is incredibly difficult," said Lt. Michael Miller.
Police said the gun belongs to a relative of the boy. He was not home at the time of incident, but other adults— including the boy's mother— and other kids were at the home when the shooting happened.
Miller said no charges have been filed while the investigation continues.
"Everyone in the household was extremely cooperative. There is not an overwhelming sense it was entirely reckless circumstances that led to it, but charges could apply. That will be a conversation for detectives to continue to have with the prosecutor, but based on what I was told this morning, they have not reached a final determination yet," Miller said.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490.
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