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Man charged in 5-year-old's death after leaving gun on shelf

Posted at 2:41 PM, Jun 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-23 15:41:11-04

A man has been charged after leaving a firearm in a home, ultimately leading to the death of a 5-year-old boy.

Michael Moore left a .40 caliber Glock 27 in the residence on N. 45th St. in Milwaukee, according to the criminal complaint.

Milwaukee police officers responded to a call of a shooting on Tuesday around 12 p.m. Upon arrival, they found the 5-year-old child laying on the floor with a gunshot wound to his head.

Officers took over CPR, but the child was pronounced dead on the scene.

The child's mother said she knows Moore has a gun, and that he carries it for protection.

Moore told police he took the gun with him when he walked the dog just after midnight on Tuesday. When he got back to the home he placed the firearm on a shelf in the living room.

Later that morning, the 5-year-old's mother made breakfast for him and his three siblings, put a movie on and went back into her bedroom and fell asleep.

She was later awaken by a "pop" sound and came into the living room to find the 5-year-old child on the living room floor, according to the criminal complaint. The firearm was laying next to the child's leg.

Moore told police he purchased the gun off of Arms List in late February or early March. He said he carries it with him everywhere he goes, except for work, where he was at the time of the shooting.

Moore also admitted having a lock and gun case for the gun and failing to use it on the morning of the shooting. He said a child could have accessed the gun by climbing on the couch directly beneath the shelf.

Moore is charged with neglecting a child - consequence is death. He faces charges up to $100,000 and/or 25 years in prison upon conviction of the offense.

He does not have a Concealed Carry Weapon permit, and has not applied for one.