Tragic Incident in San Antonio: Young Child Shot by Another Child Who Gained Access to Firearm; Investigation Underway
SAN ANTONIO, TX – April 9, 2025 — In a heartbreaking and tragic turn of events, a young child has been critically injured in what authorities believe may have been an accidental shooting involving another child. The shooting occurred in a residential area of San Antonio on the afternoon of April 8, 2025, sparking immediate concerns over firearm safety and the accessibility of weapons in homes with children.
The child, whose identity has not yet been released, was transported to Baptist Medical Center with serious gunshot wounds. Authorities were alerted to the situation shortly after 2:00 p.m., when emergency responders were called to a home in the West Side of San Antonio, where they found the child suffering from a gunshot wound.
Early Evidence Points to Another Child Involved
According to investigators, early evidence suggests that the child was possibly shot by another young child who somehow gained access to a firearm. Authorities have not disclosed how old the suspected child shooter is, but they have described both children as being very young, raising significant concerns about how the weapon came to be in their possession.
“We are in the very early stages of this investigation, but preliminary evidence points to the possibility that the child was accidentally shot by another child who had access to a firearm,” said Detective Sarah Lopez of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). “At this point, we are working to determine exactly how the gun was accessed and how the incident unfolded.”
While the details remain limited, investigators are focusing on the circumstances surrounding the weapon’s presence in the home. It is unclear whether the gun was unsecured or improperly stored, which could have allowed the young child to access it. Authorities are also looking into whether the firearm was legally owned and if any adults in the home are responsible for leaving it in an accessible location.
A Heartbreaking Incident for the Family
Family members of the child involved in the incident have been devastated by the tragedy. While the family has requested privacy at this time, loved ones have expressed their shock and sadness over the accident.
“This is a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved,” said Maria Gutierrez, a family spokesperson. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the child who was injured, and we are just hoping for a speedy recovery. We want to be respectful of the family’s privacy as they deal with this unimaginable pain.”
Concerns Over Firearm Safety
The incident has raised renewed concerns about firearm safety, particularly in households with children. Gun safety advocates have long warned that improperly stored firearms are a leading cause of accidental shootings among children. Many groups have called for stricter regulations on the storage of firearms, including the use of gun safes or biometric locks to ensure that weapons cannot be easily accessed by unauthorized individuals.
“We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to secure firearms in a way that prevents access by children,” said John Miller, a representative from the National Gun Safety Coalition. “Accidental shootings like this are preventable, and it’s crucial that gun owners take every measure to ensure that their weapons are stored safely and securely.”
Miller added that more education on firearm safety is necessary, especially in communities where access to guns is common. He urged parents to ensure that guns are stored in locked, childproof locations and to educate their children about the dangers of firearms.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Response
As authorities continue to investigate the shooting, they are also working closely with child welfare services to assess the safety of the home and determine if there were any signs of neglect or improper supervision. Investigators have interviewed family members and are examining the scene to piece together exactly what happened leading up to the tragic event.
“We want to get to the bottom of this and ensure that we understand how this tragedy occurred,” Detective Lopez explained. “At this point, we are not ruling anything out, and we are looking at all possible factors that may have contributed to this incident.”
Community members in San Antonio have been left shaken by the news of the shooting, with many expressing concern over the increasing number of incidents involving children and firearms. Local organizations are calling for stronger awareness campaigns and additional measures to ensure gun safety in households with children.
“We need to do more to protect our kids from these kinds of tragedies,” said Teresa Morales, a local advocate for gun violence prevention. “This is a reminder that we need to take action now to prevent these types of incidents from happening in the future.”
Next Steps for the Investigation
As of now, no charges have been filed in connection with the incident, as investigators are still gathering information. Law enforcement officials are expected to release more details in the coming days, once they have completed their examination of the scene and spoken with all involved parties.
Authorities are also reaching out to local organizations to provide support to the family and ensure that the injured child receives the necessary medical and emotional care. At this time, the child’s condition is described as serious, but stable.
In the wake of the incident, San Antonio police are urging residents to be vigilant about firearm safety and to report any concerns they may have regarding unsecured weapons. As the investigation continues, the community remains hopeful that the injured child will recover and that steps will be taken to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
Contact Information:
For tips or information about this case, you can contact the San Antonio Police Department at (210) 207-7635 or Crime Stoppers at (210) 224-STOP (7867).