HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Police are investigating an accidental shooting in Henrico's West End. The shooting happened in the 8700 block of Rolando Drive early Saturday morning.
Police said the accidental shooting involved two children. One of the children was taken to VCU Medical with non-life threatening injuries.
The children's father, Willie Alley, told CBS 6 police informed him of the shooting about 7 a.m. He was working at a nearby Wal-Mart at the time. He said police informed him his 4-year-old son was shot in the leg.
“First thing I was thinking was to get straight home and find out what was going on,” Alley said.
Alley said he did not know if his other child was involved in the shooting.
He said he owned the .38 caliber handgun involved in the shooting. He said he bought the gun after recent break-ins and said his wife uses it as a safety precaution when she’s home alone.
“That’s the only reason I got it in the first place,” Alley said. “I always keep it locked. I always keep it high where no one can get to it except for me.”
Neighbors tell CBS 6 that they were shocked to hear the news. They also said a situation like this is one of the reasons why guns and kids don't mix.
“I would do anything to protect my kids,” neighbor Todd Morrisette said. “Knowing that a kid down the street from me was hurt is heart wrenching.”
“It’s very disturbing,” Herbert Williams said. “Very disturbing, unlike this neighborhood. I would think something like that should not go unaddressed," he added. "I just feel sad for the child.”
Alley said his 4-year-old son is doing okay and doctors will keep him overnight. He could be released from the hospital as early as tomorrow.
Now, after this situation, Alley is rethinking whether or not he should keep his gun. And has this message for other parents:
“Think twice about buying guns,” Alley said. “I have.”
Detectives are trying to determine why and how the shooting happened.
Henrico Police have not placed charges against him.
Stay with CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for updates.
