3-Year-Old Injured In Shooting, Father Charged
DENVER (CBS4) - A 3-year-old child was rushed to the hospital after being shot at a southwest Denver apartment complex Saturday.
Officers were called to the scene at West Mississippi Avenue and South Raritan Street just after 11 a.m.
Police said the toddler was inside the apartment where the family lives at the time of the shooting.
Officers have arrested the child's father, Tagee Robinson, for investigation of possession of a weapon by a previous offender. Additional charges could be coming.
The ongoing investigation leaves many with unanswered questions, and neighbors feeling anxious.
"It's sad," said Vickie Wilson, a next door neighbor. "And it makes me wonder if my grandkids are safe to play outside anymore."
She heard a gunshot as her grandchildren played outside their apartment.
Wilson said the 3-year-old boy who was shot is one of three young children who live in the unit next door. Some of those children and their parents were outside when the shot rang out, she said.
"They had just ordered pizza, and they were getting ready to have pizza. So we weren't expecting any of this," said Wilson.
Nathan Campbell, another neighbor, said that the toddler had just gone back inside his apartment to use the bathroom when the round went off.
"We heard a shot," said Campbell. "And it came from right over here, at least that's what it sounded like. And I turned around, and the parents of the child bolted inside."
He said that the child's mother and father rushed him to the hospital. An ambulance met them halfway and drove them the rest of the way to Denver Health Medical Center.
"Officers made contact with the vehicle, in which were the parents and the toddler who did suffer this gunshot wound," said Doug Schepman, a spokesperson with the Denver Police Department. "At this time, we are still very much in the early stages of investigating what occurred here."
Authorities said that the boy is okay and expected to survive. Witnesses believe he was shot in the leg.
Police had not yet determined whether the child shot himself, or if the shot was fired by someone else.
Robinson remains in custody for investigation of possession of a weapon by a previous offender. The ongoing investigation could result in additional charges.
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
