3-year-old boy suffers self-inflicted gunshot wound at South Philly apartment

3-year-old shot, teen charged in South Philadelphia

A 3-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being shot in the head inside his South Philadelphia home late Wednesday night. Authorities say a 17-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting.

PHILADELPHIA - District Attorney Larry Krasner and officials announced Thursday that a 3-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being shot in the head inside his South Philadelphia home late Wednesday night. Authorities say the child’s 17-year-old relative has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting. 

What we know:

Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 2100 block of South 26th Street around 11 p.m. for reports of a shooting.

Police learned that a 3-year-old boy was shot in the head and taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia by family members, according to investigators.

Five people were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting, 3 of whom were taken in for questioning after telling conflicting stories and being uncooperative, police said.

Investigators say the child was in a second floor bedroom when he suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

What they're saying:

The 17-year-old relative was arrested and charged with a felony weapon offense, as well as recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence, and obstruction of justice, said the District Attorney’s Office. 

District Attorney Krasner urged parents and guardians to take responsibility for gun safety in the home. 

He said, "If you have guns, they should be locked up. They should have trigger locks. They should be protected and in a safe space any way that they can be. And know your teenage kids shouldn't have any way of getting at them. And if they do, that is your failure and that is your accountability."

Krasner also encouraged families to pay close attention to their children’s activities, friendships, and social media use, especially during the holidays when families are together at home. 

Officials stressed that tragedies like this are preventable and called on the community to work together to keep children safe.

What we don't know:

Investigators have not said what led up to the shooting. 

"At this time, we're not certain how this 3-year-old was shot in the head, we're just hoping the best for this child," Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters at the crime scene.