MILWAUKEE — For the second time in 24 hours, a five-year-old boy is dead from accidental gunfire in Southeast Wisconsin.
The first happened Monday in Kenosha. The second happened Tuesday afternoon in Milwaukee.
"According to the mother, she was sleeping and all of a sudden she heard a 'pop.' She called her son and he didn't answer. So she got up and went into the living room and seen him laying on the couch. She turned him over there was blood. He shot himself in the head," said Malcolm Hunt, Milwaukee Police Chaplain.
It was just before 1 p.m. Tuesday when Milwaukee officers were called to the home at 45th and Concordia. The family said the boy found the gun in the couch, picked it up and pulled the trigger.
"We have lost too many children and babies," said Hunt.
The day before in Kenosha, a five-year-old boy was dropped off at a hospital where he died. His family said that shooting was also accidental. Still, community leaders said neither should've happened.
"A 5-year-old should not lose their lives that is a message that we shouldn't have to repeat. That is something as a community that we should embody, we should embrace and we should work everyday to ensure children in our community our safe," said Reggie Moore, City of Milwaukee, office of violence prevention.
Moore said gun locks are available in the city, but is up to adults to use them.
"If you have a firearm in the home, you have to ensure it is secured," said Moore.
According to Moore, Ascension St. Joseph Hospital gives out free gun locks at 5000 W. Chambers Street in Milwaukee. You can also get them at Milwaukee Police District 7.
