FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A 7-year-old boy shot himself in the leg Wednesday morning with a gun that had been left inside a vehicle, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. in the 3200 block of West Davie Boulevard.
A witness told Local 10 News reporter Sanela Sabovic that the child was alone in the car while his father went into Winn-Dixie. He said the boy was playing with the gun when it went off and the father returned to the car in a panic.
“He cried and said, ‘Dad, Dad, Dad,’" Jekel Artiles said.
According to Artiles, police responded to the scene in minutes.
Fort Lauderdale police spokeswoman Casey Liening said the child was taken to Broward Health Medical Center with serious injuries.
Fort Lauderdale Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan confirmed the boy is listed in stable condition.
The child’s father was seen at the hospital in tears, being consoled by a loved one.
Police took the father’s clothes as evidence and he was seen exiting a squad car, though he has yet to be charged.
The case remains under investigation.