In a devastating incident last week, a pregnant Ohio woman lost her life after being accidentally shot by her two-year-old son. The toddler discovered a loaded handgun on a nightstand in the bedroom.
Norwalk Police Chief David Smith addressed the media on Tuesday, recounting the events of Friday afternoon. Officers responded to multiple 911 calls from the 31-year-old victim, who reported being shot in the back and struggling to breathe. Upon arrival, police found her conscious but in distress on her bedroom floor, with a Sig Sauer Micro 9mm handgun on the nearby nightstand. The woman, 33 weeks pregnant, explained that her young son had accidentally fired the weapon.
The victim was immediately transported to Fisher-Titus Medical Center, where an emergency cesarean section was performed. Tragically, medical professionals were unable to save the baby, and the mother succumbed to her injuries three hours later.
Chief Smith noted that the home was equipped with safety features, including baby gates, which were typically closed but had been left open on this occasion. The victim was doing laundry in her bedroom, a room usually locked, and was apparently unaware that her son had entered before he began handling the firearm. Authorities also discovered a loaded shotgun and rifle within the residence.
Emphasizing the critical importance of firearm safety, Chief Smith urged gun owners to secure their weapons and never leave them loaded and unattended. He recommended the use of trigger locks or gun safes, stressing their affordability and effectiveness in preventing such tragedies. No arrests have been made in connection with this incident.
The Norwalk Police Department expressed their profound sorrow, stating, "Words truly cannot express how heartbreaking this is, and we cannot imagine the pain and heartache."
