Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Nelson

Child accidentally shoots preschooler in St. Paul home

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Updated: 6:30 p.m. | Posted: 12:19 p.m.

St. Paul police say a young boy shot a little girl after finding a handgun in a woman's purse in a home in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood Tuesday evening.

The woman who owned the gun could face firearms and drug charges.

Police were called shortly after 6:30 p.m. at the home on East 3rd Street. They found a 4-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to her left leg.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said her 7-year-old brother shot her. A statement from his office said the boy briefly played with the gun before it went off.

The girl was hospitalized with what was thought to be a non-life threatening wound, said Police Sgt. Mike Ernster.

"Officers placed a tourniquet on the child's leg to help control the bleeding," he said. "St. Paul fire paramedics responded, obviously, and transported the victim to Regions (Hospital)."

Ernster said the 21-year-old St. Paul woman who owned the gun was arrested for felony child endangerment, cocaine possession and negligent storage of a firearm.

Mayor Chris Coleman said the "near-tragedy serves as a stark reminder about gun violence in our City. If you are a gun owner in Saint Paul, please be smart — secure guns in your home and model responsible behavior for young people."

Ramsey county provides gun locks free "without conditions or cost" at a number of recreation centers and community organizations, according to the county attorney's office.