INDIANAPOLIS — A toddler is in critical condition after being shot on Indy's southwest side on Tuesday.
According to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to a report of a person shot near the intersection of S. Harding St. and W. Morris St.
When they arrived, they located a male toddler in a vehicle who had been shot in the abdomen and had intestines falling out of the wound.
The toddler was transported to Riley Hospital in critical condition.
Preliminary, police believe the shooting was self-inflicted.
According to court documents, the child’s mother had picked up a 26-year-old man from work on Tuesday. The man allegedly placed his gun in the car.
Three other children who were at the scene told police they were playing outside of the car when they heard a gunshot from inside. They said the child shot himself in the stomach.
During an investigation, police located a tan FN 545 .45 caliber handgun in the trunk of the vehicle.
On Wednesday, IMPD announced both the child's mother and the man were arrested in connection to the shooting. WRTV does not name suspects until formal charges are filed.
"Two children shot within the last 24 hours is devastating," IMPD PIO Brown said at the scene.
The incident marks the second child shot in less than 24 hours and adds to a number of accidental shooting in the past week.
On Monday,3-year-old Armonie Booker was shot and killed in the back of a vehicle.
Last week, three kids were shot in accidental shootings. One of those shootings took the life of 4-year-old Corione Butts Jr.
Police continue to urge the importance of gun safety.
WATCH | IMPD voices concerns after 3 children shot in Indianapolis
