BY: Walker
Published 3 years ago
A 4-year-old boy from Pittsburgh has died after shooting himself in the face, according to police.
via: People
On Monday morning, Pittsburgh police responded to a call that a child had suffered a gunshot injury. Shortly after paramedics transported the victim to a nearby hospital, he was pronounced deceased.
The victim has been identified as Ajani Lane, PEOPLE confirms, and while the incident is still under investigation, police currently believe that the boy shot himself accidentally.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy and everyone at Pittsburgh Public Safety is shaken by the death of this little boy,” Cara Cruz, public information officer for Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety, tells PEOPLE. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Ajani Lane.”
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police announced Tuesday that they will be providing the public with free gun locks while supplies last in an effort to prevent accidental shootings.
“Taking five to ten minutes to place the lock on a gun could potentially save a life,” said Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich in a news release. “That’s what we’re trying to get out to the public today, that these locks are available.”
According a Facebook post by Ajani’s mother, Natwauna Lane, the boy was with relatives at the time of the incident. She wrote that Ajani, who loved football and had just begun school, leaves behind two siblings.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Ajani’s funeral expenses.
Nobody has been charged in connection with Ajani’s death.
Sending our condolences to Ajani’s entire family.