2-Year-Old Montco Boy Shoots Himself With Father's Gun: DA

POTTSTOWN, PA — A Pottstown toddler found his father's loaded gun on the bed and shot himself earlier this year, and the father now faces criminal charges, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday morning.

“This shooting is a frightening reminder to parents that children, even very young children, can and do find unsecured firearms in a home, and their inclination is to play with them," DA Kevin Steele said in a statement.

The incident occurred back on May 15, 2024 at the home of Luis Marin, 34, in Pottstown.

At around 5 p.m. that day, Marin went into his bedroom to retrieve a crossbody bag to lend to his nephew, authorities said. The bag normally held the man's two handguns and ear protection.

Marin removed the weapons from the bag and put them on the bed, and then gave the bag to his nephew. He was sitting on the bed looking at his phone when the gunshot went off, the DA said.

His two-year-old son had entered the room, picked up the gun, and shot himself in the chest, causing broken ribs, a fractured scapula, and lung damage, police said.

Marin instantly put pressure on the wound, and he and the boy's mother drove him to Pottstown Hospital, the DA said.

The boy survived the incident and is recovering.

Marin turned himself in to Pottstown Police when charges were filed, which included endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person. He was released on $50,000 bail on the condition that no firearms are permitted in the home.

A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 8.