Tragedy struck on Tuesday afternoon, July 4, in the Walmart parking lot in Choctaw, Oklahoma, when a 14-year-old boy accidentally shot his brother, aged 8, in the chest.
The unfortunate episode unfolded at around 2pm when the older boy found a gun in the car while their mother was shopping and the boys were left unattended in the vehicle, as stated by the Choctaw Police Chief Kelly Marshall.
Bystanders were quick to call 911 in response to the gunshot they heard. When two police officers arrived on the scene, they immediately applied chest seals to the young boy’s wounds, helping to staunch the bleeding. Despite his critical condition, the 8-year-old remained conscious and was able to communicate.
Emergency services originally intended to airlift the boy to a nearby medical facility. However, an ambulance was deemed more suitable and transported the victim to the University of Oklahoma trauma center. While his condition has been stabilized, there’s a possibility of the need for surgery, as per Chief Marshall.
Regarding the firearm used in the incident, conflicting accounts are circulating. Some claim that it belongs to the boys’ father, an Oklahoma City police officer who was not present at the time of the shooting. Although it’s confirmed that an employee of the local police department is a relative of the boys, the ownership of the gun is still under question. The investigation continues to look into the details of the case.
