Khamari Khols Lang 11 month old San Antonio baby shot dead by his older sibling toddler brother in a parked car as an adult and three children waited for an appointment at a medical center. Police yet to decide whether criminal charges to follow.
San Antonio police are deliberating whether to charge the parents of a toddler boy who ‘accidentally’ shot dead his baby sibling brother at a medical center parking lot in Texas.
At the time of the tragedy, a woman, a three-year-old, a two-year-old and an 11 month old baby infant were inside a parked SUV vehicle waiting for an appointment at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio on Monday afternoon when the shooting happened.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as 11 month old, Khamari Khols Lang. The toddler child would have turned one in November.
‘100% preventable tragedy’
Leading into the ‘accidental shooting,’ one of the toddlers grabbed a long gun from the back of the vehicle and fired one round, striking Khamari in the head and killing him, officials said.
Noted a preliminary report in part, ‘one of the children gained access to the trunk where a loaded long gun was being stored and pulled the trigger causing the gun to go off and shoot the victim.’
The 11-month-old was pronounced deceased at the scene, KENS5 reported.
Police declined to say how the driver is related to the young siblings, nor who the firearm belong to.
‘What we have here is a terrible, terrible tragedy,’ police Chief William McManus told the outlet.
‘In the very rear of the vehicle, there was a loaded weapon. One of the two older children got ahold of that weapon and accidentally shot the 11-month or 10-month-old.’
‘This tragedy and any tragedy like this are 100% preventable,’ San Antonio Police Sgt. Washington Moscoso told KENS 5. ‘Securing guns safely, securing ammunition and restricting access; those three things will prevent these shootings every time.’
For gun owners who decide to keep firearms inside their vehicle, Sgt. Moscoso says they should be kept in a lock box or portable safe.
‘At our SAFFE offices throughout the city, we have gun locks or gun boxes, depending on supply,’ said Sgt. Moscoso. ‘Those are free, just contact your nearest SAFFE office.’
Police have yet to say whether any one will now face criminal charges over the shooting.
According to an online fundraiser created by the boy’s aunt, Kheena-Marie Hutton, Khamari was the youngest of six siblings whose family recently moved to San Antonio.
‘He brought immense joy to our lives and was in the process of learning to walk. His loving spirit will be deeply missed,’ Hutton wrote on the page.
The South Texas Veterans Health Care System released a statement following the fatal shooting at the medical center’s parking lot.
‘We are deeply saddened by this event and offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of everyone affected,’ they said.
‘The South Texas Veterans Health Care System takes the safety of its Veterans and staff seriously and appreciate the quick response and support from local law enforcement, as well as our VA Police.’
As of Wednesday, no arrest had been made in the case, which Juarez said remained under investigation.