A Nebraska man is facing charges of child abuse after his 5-year-old son accidentally shot himself with a firearm that allegedly fell from the man’s pocket. The man, identified as 28-year-old Trae Colvin, is currently in custody, according to records from the Douglas County Department of Corrections.
The incident occurred on Sunday when the young boy, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly shot himself in the arm. Omaha police, in a statement, said they arrested two individuals following the accidental shooting. The statement further noted that the child was injured after handling an unsecured firearm.
In addition to Colvin’s arrest, the boy’s mother and Colvin’s fiancee, 27-year-old Gabrielle Gutierrez, was cited for two counts of misdemeanor neglect. Prosecutors claim that Colvin had placed the gun in his sweatpants pocket after driving home with his son. He then fell asleep on his bed, with the 5-year-old and his 7-month-old child beside him.
Court documents suggest that Colvin believes the gun fell out of his pocket while he was asleep. He reportedly told police that he didn’t hear the gunshot but woke up to see his son’s arm bleeding profusely. He is said to have secured the gun in a safe before leaving his home to alert the child’s mother about the incident. He then drove with the injured boy to pick up the mother from work before heading to the emergency room.
Gutierrez reportedly told police that Colvin habitually kept the gun in his pocket or nearby, rarely securing it in a safe. She claimed to have repeatedly asked him to store the gun safely, but he refused. She also admitted to investigators that she was aware her son had handled the gun before and had asked Colvin to keep it away from the children.
Gutierrez told local media that the bullet did not break any bones or leave any fragments behind. She expressed her heartbreak at seeing her son in pain, but noted his bravery throughout the ordeal. Child Protective Services has since removed both children from the home.
The 5-year-old boy is expected to make a full recovery, according to local reports.