NEW ORLEANS — A man is arrested after mishandling a gun that fired and struck a toddler as he was sleeping in the apartment next door.
Detectives with the New Orleans Police Department announced they have arrested Javonte Shelton, 22, in the shooting investigation.
Police were called to a home in the 8500 block of I-10 Service Road at around 12:30 a.m. Sunday.
When responding officers arrived, they found the 3-year-old suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his head. Emergency Medical Technicians transported the victim to the hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition.
Detectives say Shelton told detectives he was dry firing his weapon inside his apartment when the gun discharged a round through the wall, striking the victim who was asleep in the adjoining apartment next to him.
He was arrested and booked into the Orleans Justice Center and booked for Second-Degree Battery and Obstruction of Justice.
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