INDIANAPOLIS -- Two people have been arrested and accused of child neglect after a toddler was critically injured in a shooting on Indy's near southwest side Tuesday evening.
Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, police were called to a Wendy's on West Morris Street and found a 3-year-old boy who witnesses claim accidentally shot himself in the stomach.
When paramedics arrived, the victim's intestines were falling out.
Investigators now believe the shooting actually took place at a DPW facility on South Belmont Street and the victim was driven to the Wendy's to wait for medics.
Regardless of the location, prosecutors and gun safety experts say cases like this are avoidable.
"It's frustrating and hurtful," said Tim Tomich with Tim's Shooting Academy. "Accidents are caused by people making dumb decisions."
Local firearms instructor Tim Tomich said the case is another example of why guns should always be kept unloaded and safely secured.
According to court records, the child's mother, Anaya Velazquez picked up 26-year-old Antreaun Rice from work on Tuesday. Rice reportedly put the gun in the car which the victim later picked up.
During the execution of the search warrant, a tan FN 545 .45 caliber handgun was found in the trunk.
Three other children were also in the back seat of the car and spoke to police. They all said they were out of the car playing when they heard a pop from the car. They said the victim shot himself in the stomach.
Both adults are now accused of neglect of a dependent resulting in injury.
"It's not only disappointing. It's heartbreaking because these cases are 100% preventable," said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.
Mears said since the start of last year, his office has filed neglect charges in at least 12 cases involving accidental shootings and unsecured firearms.
"We need to send the message that a gun is the ultimate responsibility and the consequence of not handling that gun responsibility is a kid can lose their life," said Mears.
In two other tragic cases just last week, a 4-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself at a home near 36th and Dearborn.
That same day, a 5-year-old boy passed away after he too accidentally shot himself in his own bedroom on Golden Meadow Drive.
"It's easy to put a round in the chamber. It's impossible to bring back a life," said Tomich.
Tomich said free gun locks can be installed and removed in seconds. Gun safes are another option.
Either way, he insists there's no excuse for kids shooting themselves with unsecured weapons.
"Accidents can be prevented. Shootings can be prevented. Use your head," said Tomich.
Although the suspects were arrested on preliminary charges of child neglect, ultimately it will be up to the prosecutor's office to file formal charges in the case.