GALION — A 4-year-old Galion boy died Tuesday night from a gunshot wound, according to a press release from the Galion Police Department.
“This was a tragic incident,” Galion police Chief Marc A. Rodriguez said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the child’s family.”
According to authorities, Galion police officers responded to Avita Health System (Galion) on Tuesday at approximately 8:38 p.m. after learning a small child had been brought into the emergency room with a gunshot wound.
Officers learned the boy sustained a single gunshot wound to the face from a small caliber, semi-automatic pistol. The child was later being transported by medical helicopter, in critical condition, to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
Police were later notified the child died from his wound while in-flight and had died at 11:22 p.m. The child’s name was not released by authorities.
Police said that during the course of the investigation, it was determined the child was apparently able to gain access to the firearm. Family members performed CPR and took the child to Avita. The firearm and a single shell casing were recovered from the residence where the child had been living.
These items will be submitted to BCI&I for further testing/analysis, police said.
The Galion Police Department noted it has a supply of free gunlocks available.
“I encourage anyone with children in their home to place a lock on their firearm(s) Properly storing firearms can help keep your family safe,” Rodriguez said.
