Pine Manor man arrested after child shoots self in accidental shooting

A 19-year-old Pine Manor man was arrested after a 4-year-old was injured in an accidental shooting.

Cesar Alexis Reyes Juarez faces charges of contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child, trafficking cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, culpable negligence for allowing a minor access to the weapon, and alter and destroying medicine, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.

The shooting happened on Saturday in the Pine Manor community when deputies say they responded to a child with a gunshot wound to their arm and leg.

The shooting happened in the 5500 block of First Avenue.

The child wasn’t alone when they shot themselves. The child was with two other kids playing a game, but at one point the two other kids turned around and the victim wasn’t there. They went to look, and found their friend lying in bed with two gunshot wounds.

Rich Kolko, WINK News’ safety and security specialist said, “you got a child growing up in a very dangerous environment.”

Kolko says it’s a recipe for disaster. “Clearly, having a gun in the house comes with responsibilities, and they were not carried out here.”

A situation that resulted in an innocent four-year-old shooting himself. Once in the arm and once in the leg.

“When you’re talking about criminals using guns in their criminal activity, they often will not take those, the same care to maintain the weapons in a safe location and safe from children,” said Kolk

Juaraz is paying is the price. Deputies said it was his gun.

Investigators also found cocaine, oxycodone, a holster, a magazine, and 9mm rounds in Juarez’s room.

Kolko has advice for the best way to keep kids safe. “As we all know, kids are pretty good at finding things that are hidden in the house so nothing beats a locked safe for a gun.”

Investigators learned the gun the child used to shoot themselves with belonged to Reyes Juarez.

When searching Reyes Juarez’s room, authorities said they found cocaine, oxycodone, a holster and a magazine as well as 9mm rounds.

It was learned that Reyes Juarez had told witnesses to lie to deputies and to hide his guns and drugs, deputies said.

The child that shot themselves is expected to survive.