Cincinnati Father Pleads Not Guilty After 5-Year-Old Son Accidentally Shoots Infant Sibling in West Price Hill: Community Urged to Reflect on Gun Safety
CINCINNATI, OH — April 21, 2025 — A tragic accident inside a West Price Hill home has left a 7-month-old baby critically injured and led to criminal charges against the child’s father. Authorities say the incident occurred when a 5-year-old child accidentally discharged a loaded firearm, striking the baby, who was later hospitalized in critical condition.
The father, 22-year-old Martez Jones, appeared in a Hamilton County courtroom on Saturday, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of child endangerment and negligent firearm storage. He is accused of leaving a loaded gun in reach of children — a decision that authorities say nearly cost a baby his life.
What Happened
Cincinnati police responded to a 911 call on Saturday night at a residence on Wells Street. According to investigators, a 5-year-old child managed to get hold of a loaded firearm and unintentionally shot the 7-month-old baby.
Emergency medical teams rushed the infant to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where he underwent emergency treatment. As of Monday, the child remains in critical but stable condition.
The heartbreaking situation has shaken the neighborhood and sparked calls for stronger awareness and action on child access prevention and gun safety measures.
Emotional Court Hearing
During Saturday’s court hearing, Jones appeared visibly distressed as prosecutors recounted the details of the shooting. Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor David Wood revealed that the child picked up the weapon from a bedside table, an unsecured location that violates basic gun safety principles.
Prosecutors emphasized that the tragedy was entirely preventable. “This was not an accident in the sense that it was unforeseeable,” Wood said. “It was negligence. A loaded gun left out where a kindergartner could get to it — the outcome was only a matter of time.”
Jones’ attorney entered a plea of not guilty, describing him as a “young father devastated by what has happened.” The court granted Jones release on bond under the condition that he not possess firearms and avoid unsupervised contact with minors pending further legal proceedings.
Community Reaction and Public Safety Concerns
The West Price Hill community, already shaken, has begun to process the tragedy. Neighbors have expressed sympathy for the family while also voicing concerns about the preventable nature of the shooting.
“This just didn’t need to happen,” said one neighbor who asked not to be named. “Guns in the house are one thing, but this was a baby. And that little boy — he’ll carry this forever.”
Local and state advocacy groups have stepped in to call attention to the lack of mandatory safe firearm storage laws in Ohio. Organizations like Ohio Moms for Gun Safety are renewing demands for legislation that would hold gun owners legally responsible for failing to secure weapons in homes with children.
“This incident should never have happened,” said advocacy leader Tamika Jordan. “This is not a political issue — it’s about protecting kids. Children should not have access to lethal weapons, ever.”
What Happens Next
- Martez Jones is scheduled to return to court in early May for further proceedings.
- Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and additional charges may be filed pending the baby’s condition and any new findings.
- Child protective services are also involved in evaluating the safety and living conditions of the other children in the home.
What You Can Do
The Cincinnati Police Department and public safety advocates are urging all gun owners to:
- Store firearms locked and unloaded
- Use trigger locks and gun safes
- Keep ammunition stored separately
- Educate children on the dangers of firearms
If you have information that may assist in this case or similar ones, contact Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
This case serves as a heartbreaking reminder: one moment of neglect can change lives forever. As the baby continues to fight for survival, the city is left reflecting — and hopefully acting — to prevent such tragedies from ever repeating.