A West Valley City toddler who police say got a hold of his father’s gun, accidentally shooting himself is not expected to survive.
West Valley police say the 2 year old shot himself in the head just before midnight Saturday night into Sunday morning.
As of Sunday afternoon, the boy remained hospitalized at Primary Children’s Hospital.
“You should always secure your weapons. This is probably the number one reason,” said Lt Jeff Conger.
Police say the two-year-old boy’s father, Tasman Maile, is now in custody.
Police say he shouldn’t have had a gun because of criminal convictions in the past. Officer say he wouldn’t tell them how the boy got the weapon.
“The situation of how he found the gun, we’re not exactly sure on that, but we don’t believe the father, at this time, purposely tried to hurt his child,” Lt Conger said.
Maile was booked on several other charges, including suspicion of manslaughter, drug possession, obstruction of justice and possession of a weapon by a restricted person.
