DETROIT – The father of an 11-year-old Detroit boy who shot himself by accident Thursday morning with a rifle, which his father allegedly left him home alone with, faces child abuse and weapons charges.
The shooting happened at about 8:30 a.m. in the 3900 block of W. Vernor Highway. The boy suffered a gunshot wound to his buttocks, and is in stable condition at Children's Hospital.
Capt. Whitney Walton said that the rifle was for personal protection reasons, but the father could be charged for leaving the boy alone with it.
"As of right now, we're investigating neglect of leaving an 11-year-old alone with a rifle," Walton said.
The boy's father was at work when the shooting happened. Police had been questioning him before he was arrested later on Thursday.
On Friday, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced the father, 37-year-old Chris Navarrette, is charged with child abuse (2nd degree), careless use of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and felony firearm. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Saturday.
Right now: #Detroit dad arrested for leaving son home alone, telling him to use gun as protection. 11 year old shot himself in backside.
— Shawn Ley (@ShawnLeyLive) April 7, 2016
#Breaking #Detroit Dad leaves son, 11 home alone - told SON to use rifle for protection. He shot himself in backside pic.twitter.com/lKTPvRrvO1
— Shawn Ley (@ShawnLeyLive) April 7, 2016
#Breaking #Detroit Boy left home alone shoots himself with dad's gun. pic.twitter.com/jZAJnLhHAP
— Shawn Ley (@ShawnLeyLive) April 7, 2016