PHILADELPHIA, PA – A shocking incident occurred in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood over the weekend. A 3-year-old girl is struggling for her life having accidentally shot herself in the left eye with her father’s firearm.
The troubling event took place on Saturday afternoon in a house located on the 500 block of East Chelten Avenue. The toddler discovered her father’s unsecured gun and unintentionally fired it. Nearly losing her life, the girl was taken to Einstein Medical Center in a personal vehicle, where her condition was promptly deemed extremely critical. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was airlifted to St. Christopher’s Hospital for specialized children’s treatment.
Following the incident, police have seized the firearm in question and detained a man, presumably the girl’s father, for investigation. The circumstances leading the child to find the gun at home have not been disclosed by the Philadelphia law enforcement.
Richard Vona, a local firearms specialist, commented on this jarring episode, reminding the public about the significance of responsible firearm ownership. He stressed the need for appropriate firearm storage.
Vona also emphasized that many legal and community institutions offer gun locks free of charge. His view on the matter was clear: “There’s no reason for us to have unsecured firearms in the house with children.”
The ongoing police investigation is focusing on understanding why the firearm was unsecured in a house with a child. It also serves as a reminder of the enormous responsibility that accompanies the ownership of a firearm, especially in households with children.