Baltimore Grandmother Arrested After Child Is Injured In Accidental Shooting

Source: KiddNation / Kidd Nation

Baltimore Police announced that a grandmother was arrested Monday after a nine-year-old in Northwest Baltimore shot and injured herself in an accidental shooting.

Alethea Mitchell, 51, was charged with firearm access by a minor, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, possession of a stolen firearm, and other handgun charges.

On Sunday, Jan. 25, officers responded to the 3500 block of Ingleside Avenue where they discovered the nine-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to her head. She was taken to a hospital where she was listed in critical condition, according to police.

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Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said officers are investigating the incident as a “self-inflicted accidental shooting,” and that homicide detectives were also investigating due to the child’s condition. Worley said the child was visiting her grandmother’s home when the family found her injured.

“This incident is yet another heartbreaking tragedy involving an innocent child shot due to a guardian irresponsibly possessing a stolen gun and failing to prioritize gun safety and security,” Worley said in a statement. “It is both infuriating and, most importantly, preventable. The men and women of the BPD remain committed to removing illegal guns from our city and promoting the secure and responsible storage of firearms to prevent such senseless tragedies.”

Mayor Brandon Scott also commented on the arrest.

“An innocent child is fighting for their life because this individual illegally and irresponsibly possessed a gun. They not only shouldn’t have had a gun in the first place but couldn’t be bothered to keep their own family safe,” Scott said. “This is exactly the reason why we will continue to do everything in our power to get illegal guns off our streets, and why we will work so hard to hold those who shouldn’t have access to these weapons responsible to the fullest extent of the law when they get their hands on them.”

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