Albuquerque Toddler Shoots Parents - A 3-year-old child has mistakenly shot his father and eight-month pregnant mother in an Albuquerque motel room.
The incident happened on Saturday as the toddler, who was trying to get hold of his mother's iPad from her handbag, got hold of the loaded gun instead.
According to Albuquerque police reports, the toddler shot his pregnant mother in the shoulder and his father in the buttock with a single shot.
Fortunately, neither the child nor his 2-year-old sister, who was in room, suffered any injuries. They were only shocked and 'traumatized'.
"It was like if I was to get up and shake your hand and sat back down," says Justin Reynolds, the child's father. "That's how fast it happened. All of a sudden, we heard a gun go off, and the next minute I realized my girlfriend was bleeding. Then I sat down and realized I was shot too."
Justin Reynolds says shortly after the incident he called 911, while tending to his girlfriend and two children, who were shocked and crying.
"I just took action right away," he said. "I was more worried about my girlfriend than myself and anything else that was going on. And my son, because I didn't know if he had shot himself or not. He was shocked and crying. It was traumatizing."
Reynolds and Monique Villescas were rushed to the hospital shortly after. While he has been discharged, she remains hospitalized. Officials say she is in a stable condition.
The children were held in the custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department for 48-hours. Authorities say although preliminary investigations reveal that the shooting was an accident, they still would like to question the 2-year-old girl who witnessed the incident.
"This case will be forwarded to the DA's office and pending charges of felony criminal negligence will be reviewed on both parents," Albuquerque police spokesman Simon Drobik said.
He added that the department has always and continues to warn all gun owners to keep their firearm secured at all times and particularly out of the reach of all children and adolescents.
"I can't tell you why they had a loaded gun next to small children. Where are their priorities? It was lucky nobody got killed," Drobik said.
Justin Reynolds and Monique Villescas face charges of criminal neglect of their children.
