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WEST VALLEY CITY — A 2-year-old boy is in extremely critical condition after he shot himself with a handgun, officials said.
Due to the extent of his injuries, doctors don't believe the boy will survive, according to West Valley Police Lt. Jeff Conger.
Police received a call about 11:45 p.m. Saturday reporting shots fired near 2700 South and Fair Isle Lane.
When officers arrived, they found a 2-year-old boy and his father, Tasman Maile, who told police his son had shot himself, Conger said.
Officers administered first aid to the boy, who was wounded in the upper head area, until medical personnel arrived to transport the boy to the hospital, Conger said.
As of Sunday afternoon, the boy remained hospitalized at Primary Children's Hospital.
Maile told police the child got the gun and shot himself with it but didn't elaborate how the weapon was out and how the boy got it, Conger said.
Maile, 27, was arrested and booked into Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of manslaughter for leaving a gun accessible to a child, possession of a weapon by a restricted person, drug possession and obstruction of justice, according to police.
Conger issued a reminder to gun owners with children in the home or the possibility of children in the home: "Always secure your weapons."
"It's just something I think could be avoided if the weapon was locked up and secured to make sure no one could get to it that shouldn't have the weapon," he said.
Contributing: Caitlin Burchill, KSL TV
