May 4, 2008 6:33 am US/Central
5-Year-Old Shoots Self in Head on South Side
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
A young boy is critically injured after a shooting on the South Side Saturday. Police say the child shot himself. CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports.
The child's parents were both charged in the shooting. The father, Cortney Rodgers, 26, was charged with one count each of endangering the life and health of a child, possessing a firearm without a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOID) and failing to register a firearm.
The mother, Dorothy Hayden, 27, was charged with one count of endangering the life and health of a child.
Rodgers was sobbing as he was hauled off in handcuffs from his home in the 6100 block of South Wabash. Police say his young son shot himself at 5:45 p.m. Saturday after getting his hands on a loaded handgun.
"Apparently the five-year-old entered the bedroom, found a gun and accidentally shot himself in the head," said Chicago Police Cmdr. Lillie Crump-Hales.
"We just saw police rush into the building and saw the Chicago Fire Department carry the kid out," said witness Lakeisha Jones.
Police said along with the father, there were other people inside the home at the time of the shooting -- his mother, a cousin, and two other children, ages 7 and 8. Those other kids are now being taken care of by relatives.
Despite having all those people around, no one noticed the little boy reaching for the gun.
"It's a very tragic accident that shows that guns are dangerous and should not be kept inside the house," Crump-Hales said.
Neighbors are understandably disturbed.
"It's sad how little guns can harm little children; we don't know where these kids are getting these guns, it's sad," said neighbor Delando Roberts.
"We got to stand up and be an example for these kids, because if we don't, who will?" said neighbor Cequena Wilks.
The boy was taken to University of Chicago Comer's Hospital in critical condition, Fire Media Affairs Chief Joe Roccasalva said.
Sadly, some kids and teens CBS 2 talked to Saturday night said they weren't the least bit surprised to hear that a five-year-old shot himself. They say guns are so prevalent it's easy for any kid to get his hands on one.
The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
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