crime

Boy, 9, Accidentally Shoots Own Hand, Leading to Discovery of ‘Ghost' Gun, Cash and Drugs

The child was transported to a hospital and is now in stable condition.

Oxnard PD

A Tuesday morning firearm accident involving a 9-year-old Oxnard child led to the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect, on charges related to firearms, cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms, Oxnard police said in a news release.

Around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, police said officers responded to a call on South N Street regarding a child who accidentally shot himself in the hand with a handgun. The 9-year-old boy found the easily-accessible gun in his home, and thought it was a toy gun, police said.

The child was transported to a hospital and is now in stable condition, according to the release.

Investigators from the Family Protection Unit took over at the scene and, after issuing a search warrant, "located a large amount of US Currency, concentrated cannabis, Psilocybin Mushrooms, a semi-automatic “ghost” gun, and a rifle."

Officers arrested a 17-year-old, who lived in the home with his mother, "for child endangerment, unsafe storage of a firearm, and possession of an unregistered firearm." He's also under investigation for "possession for sales of concentrated cannabis and Psilocybin Mushrooms."

The suspect was taken to the Ventura County Juvenile Facilities complex.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds gun owners "to properly secure their firearms with children present in the home to prevent firearm tragedies from happening."

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