Father Charged In Connection With Son's Shooting

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A-24-year-old Caln Township man turned himself in to police for leaving a loaded gun in the car resulting in his three-year-old son shooting himself.

Jameer Walker is free on $5,000 bail after being arraigned before District Judge Ann Feldman on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment and weapon offenses

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said this case serves as a lesson for fathers, mothers, friends, and neighbors to keep all firearms secured and out of reach of children

“This is a tragic but all too frequent incident of a child gaining access to a loaded firearm and shooting themselves or someone else,” Ryan said. “Fortunately, this child will survive. “ Firearm-related injuries are now the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States. We must do better.”

According to police:

• Police were dispatched on July 30 to the parking lot of Caln Plaza in the 1800 block of Lincoln Hwy in Coatesville for the report of a child shot in the leg.
• When they arrived, police found the defendant on the ground holding his 3-year-old son, who was bleeding profusely from the hip and groin.
• An officer began administering first aid until EMS from Washington Hose Company arrived and transported the victim to Paoli Hospital.
• Investigators learned that the child was able to easily access the loaded and unsecured gun while he was inside the car as the defendant was outside talking with another person.
• The child shot himself one time in the groin area.
• Chester County detectives are investigating and Erin O’Brien is the prosecutor.