New details emerge in case of 5-year-old accidentally shooting himself in Wendy’s parking lot31 DEC 18 10:45 ETBy WGHP Web StaffClick here for updates on this story
Randleman, NC (WGHP) -- Police have released more information about the shooting of 5-year-old outside Wendy's restaurant in Randleman on Sunday.
The child is in critical condition after being shot in the face.
Randleman police were called to 1029 High Point Street shortly after 12:45 p.m. in reference to the shooting.
The boy, described as about 5 years old, was inside a booster seat and unbuckled himself as his mother pulled up to the drive-thru, according to Randleman police.
The child was able to get a .45 semi-automatic handgun from a pocket on the car’s back front passenger seat. Police said the gun went off and the child was shot in the face.
The child was taken to Randolph Health and flown to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Officials have not released the victim’s name. He is in critical condition.
Police said the mother and her child were the only people in the car at the time. The gun belonged to the boy’s father who said he put it in the back pocket of the front seat while vacuuming two days earlier, according to police. Police said he forgot about the gun and the mother did not know it was there.
Investigators will meet with the district attorney’s office to determine any charges.
The scene cleared as of about 3 p.m., but the restaurant remained closed for the rest of the day.
