BERKELEY, Mo. – A 7-year-old was shot and killed Monday while allegedly playing with a loaded gun in a truck parked outside an apartment building.
According to a spokesperson for the Berkeley Police Department, the shooting happened around 10:20 a.m. at the Mint Townhomes in the 6700 block of Larry Lane.
Investigators believe the shooting was accidental.
In the aftermath of the shooting, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell met with Berkeley Police Chief Art Jackson to discuss the particulars of the incident.
“This is a problem that we’re seeing with respect to not only gun violence and accidental gun shootings,” Bell said. “We’re seeing this way too often. A significant portion of the cases we’re seeing typically involve gun violence; there’s a percentage—probably around 15%—are accidental shootings like this, and it’s too many.”
Charges could be filed in the case. Authorities are also encouraging anyone with a gun to make sure there is a gun lock on that weapon.
