29 children treated for gunshot wounds at Le Bonheur so far this year
Mar 31, 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- It was a violent weekend in Memphis, among those injured were two children, just two and six-years-old.
Memphis Police said in those cases, both kids were accidentally injured.
As the children recover, calls for change are being made.
Just before 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon, a
two-year-old boy was brought to a fire station off South Lauderdale. He'd been shot.
Police said he somehow got hold of an unsecured gun and injured himself.
MPD: Man detained after child accidentally shot
About three hours later, WREG was on the scene as detectives processed a crime scene at the Ridgecrest Apartments in Frayser.
Aftermath of Shady Vista Drive shooting.
Two people had been shot and we've learned that one of the victims was a six-year-old boy.
Police said a stray bullet flew through an apartment and struck the child.
"When we're talking about young kids, particularly when we're talking about young kids that get access to unsecured firearms or who are innocent bystanders in a shooting and are injured, they're particularly saddening," said Dr. Nick Watkins.
Dr. Watkins works at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and said that so far this year, 29 children have been treated at the hospital for gunshot wounds.
Man, 6-year-old injured in Frayser shooting
"I don't think we've seen the worst of the firearm injuries yet this year," Dr. Watkins said. "So far, compared to the last couple of years, we're slightly beneath those numbers but there's still a long way to go this year."
He expressed more concern as we look ahead to warmer months and children being out of school.
Now, Dr. Watkins is calling for safe, secure storage of firearms. Ideally, locking them away separate from ammunition.
"We know that these injuries are preventable and we can make a difference," Dr. Watkins said. ...read more read less