NEWAYGO COUNTY, Mich. — More details are coming to light about the shooting death of a 5-year-old in Newaygo County. Michigan State Police say another child was holding the gun.
Troopers from the Hart post were dispatched to a home in the area of West 68th Street and Bingham Avenue in Garfield Township around 3:25 p.m. on Monday.
Once inside, troopers found a child dead from a gunshot wound.
Investigation revealed two children found a firearm inside the bedroom of their grandparents' home. A 6-year-old was holding the gun when it discharged, killing his 5-year-old relative.
The case will be forwarded to the Newaygo County prosecutor for review once the investigation is complete.
"Hold your children tight tonight and give them an extra hug. Because this family is grieving," Lt. Michelle Robinson said on Monday.
A new gun law went into effect this year that requires gun owners to secure unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.
"The one thing that we do want to stress to parents is to get gun locks for your firearms, if you have them in your home, you never know when tragedy will strike," said Robinson on Wednesday. "And so we can't reiterate that enough that there are police agencies throughout Michigan, that do have those gun locks available, just come in, they're free of charge, grab one and put them on the firearms that you have in your home."
Free gun safety kits can also be obtained through Project ChildSafe law enforcement partners across Michigan. MDHHS is also working with the Michigan State Police to make gun locks available.
"There are police agencies throughout Michigan that do have those gun locks available, just come in they're free of charge," says Robinson. "Grab one and put them on the firearms that you have in your home."
You can learn more about firearms safety and the new storage law here.
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