3-year-old apparently shot in accident in Howard County home

A three-year-old boy was shot and killed in a home in Columbia, Maryland, on Monday in what Howard County police say appears to have been an accident.

The shooting occurred at a home on Harpers Farm Road. Investigators have determined that a handgun was left unsecured in the home. Police are still trying to determine if the shooting was self-inflicted or fired by someone else in the home.

The boy’s five-year-old brother and his parents were at home when the shooting occurred. Police said they do not believe anyone else was involved in the incident and they see no evidence of foul play.

Police have not yet filed charges in connection with the shooting, but will continue their investigation.

Last month, a 4-year-old girl in Prince George’s County accidentally shot and injured herself after finding a gun under a bed during a game of hide-and-seek, police said. Days later, another young child – a 3-year-old girl – accidentally shot herself in neighboring Montgomery County. Both children are expected to recover. Charges have been filed in both cases.

Sign up here to get breaking news and daily headlines delivered straight to your email inbox.

© 2024 WTOP. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users in the European Economic Area.