ST. LOUIS COUNTY (KTVI) – Homicide detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department are investigating the shooting death of a toddler in a north county neighborhood. The 21-month-old boy was shot in the torso. He was driven by a woman to St. Mary’s Hospital where the he was pronounced dead.
The toddler has been identified as Carter Epps. He lived in the 5300 block of College Ave in St. Louis, MO.
Police say the shooting occurred at a residence in the 7700 block of Utica Drive in Hanley Hills. Investigators believe the shooting was accidental, with the victim picking up a loaded handgun and shooting himself.
Detectives have arrested one person.
The toddler’s mother cooperated with the investigation, and was the person who drove the child to hospital.
Police are calling this a tragic event after 9-year-old Jamyla Bolden was shot and killed last week. She was doing her homework while sitting in her mother’s bed. The reward for a suspect in that case is now $8,265.
Police say the case will be presented to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Wednesday morning.
Neighbors in Hanley Hills watch as STL Co police investigate shooting death of 21-month old boy. pic.twitter.com/p4lXdjIZ7s
— Kevin Killeen (@KMOXKilleen) August 25, 2015
Stl Co police Sgt. Brian Schellman says a 21-month old boy is shot dead. Unknown who fired the shot. pic.twitter.com/BodnvSwt1L
— Kevin Killeen (@KMOXKilleen) August 25, 2015
Sgt. Schellman, Stl. County PD, said police arrived on Hanley Hills scene around 1:20 pm to investigate child shooting @stltoday
— Nancy Cambria (@nanecam) August 25, 2015
Neighbor said house down the street from house suspected in today's infant fatal shooting was recent scene of drive-by shooting. @stltoday
— Nancy Cambria (@nanecam) August 25, 2015
The child shot in the 7700 Utica block of Utica was a 21-mth old male. pic.twitter.com/NWqku1uEkb
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) August 25, 2015
Stl County PD asking anyone with info on deadly toddler shooting on Utica to call Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-Tips. pic.twitter.com/d0pwn02GCM
— Jeff Bernthal (@JeffBernthal) August 25, 2015