Detroit police: Boy, 11, home alone with dad's rifle accidentally shoots self

Boy shot in buttocks, expected to be OK; father arrested and charged

DETROIT – The father of an 11-year-old Detroit boy who shot himself by accident Thursday morning with a rifle, which his father allegedly left him home alone with, faces child abuse and weapons charges.

The shooting happened at about 8:30 a.m. in the 3900 block of W. Vernor Highway. The boy suffered a gunshot wound to his buttocks, and is in stable condition at Children's Hospital.

Capt. Whitney Walton said that the rifle was for personal protection reasons, but the father could be charged for leaving the boy alone with it.

 "As of right now, we're investigating neglect of leaving an 11-year-old alone with a rifle," Walton said.

The boy's father was at work when the shooting happened. Police had been questioning him before he was arrested later on Thursday.

On Friday, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced the father, 37-year-old Chris Navarrette, is charged with child abuse (2nd degree), careless use of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and felony firearm. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Saturday.

 

 


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.