Tragedy struck on Tuesday afternoon, July 4, in the Walmart parking lot in Choctaw, Oklahoma, when a 14-year-old boy accidentally shot his brother, aged 8, in the chest while they were left alone in a vehicle by their mother. The occurrence was confirmed by Choctaw Police Chief Kelly Marshall.
Around 2 pm, the older boy found a firearm in the car, leading to the unintentional discharge and injuring of his younger brother. Following the alarming sound of the gunshot, nearby witnesses were quick to dial 911. Upon arriving, the officers were able to successfully halt further bleeding by applying chest seals to the child’s wounds. Despite his grave condition, the boy managed to stay conscious and communicative.
Initially, a helicopter evacuation to a nearby hospital was planned. However, the emergency services decided that an ambulance transport to the University of Oklahoma trauma center would be more efficient. The victim’s condition has been stabilized for now, although surgery might be required, as reported by Police Chief Marshall.
Discrepancies have arisen concerning the firearm’s origin. It’s been suggested that the weapon may belong to the father of the boys, an Oklahoma City police officer who was not at the scene. While it’s confirmed that one of the local police department employees is a relative of the boys, it’s still unclear who the gun belongs to. The investigation into the case continues.