Police: 2-year-old shoots self with father's gun, loses part of finger

DELAND, Fla. — DeLand police are investigating after a 2 year-old boy got a hold of his father's gun and pulled the trigger, shooting himself.

Investigators said it happened at the family's home on North Orange Avenue on Friday.

Detectives said the little boy managed to get a hold of the gun and pull the trigger. They said one shot was fired, blowing off part of his middle finger.

The boy, who hasn't been named, was first taken to Florida Hospital DeLand, and then transferred to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando.

The boy lost part of his finger, but WFTV was told the boy should be okay. He is recuperating and will remain at the hospital overnight.

Neighbors along North Orange Avenue were stunned.

"I hate to say it's not surprising. You'd think people would keep stuff like that up and away, but you know they just don't seem to because it keeps happening," said neighbor Heather Brantley.

A police spokesman told WFTV the boy's father was home and it was his revolver that went off.

Detectives are still working to piece together what happened and haven't said if the father will face charges.

He and his son were the only two people at home when the gun went off.

The Department Of Children And Families is most likely investigating as well.

WFTV