Police Friday afternoon issued an update about the death of an 8‑year-old boy in the Hill, confirming that they believe it resulted from an “accidental discharge” of a gun in the home.
The boy was found in his second-floor bedroom Thursday night.
City police spokesperson Capt. Anthony Duff released the following update Friday afternoon:
On August 6, 2020, at approximately 10:40 p.m., New Haven Police responded to 630 Howard Avenue on a report of a person shot. The caller reported the victim was an eight year-old male.
Upon arrival, officers located an eight year-old victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and quickly determined his injuries were life threatening. New Haven Fire Department and American Medical Response paramedics were on scene and confirmed the victim had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
An ambulance immediately transported the victim to Yale New Haven Hospital Pediatric Emergency Room. Despite significant life-saving efforts by medical personnel, the victim would tragically succumb to his injuries.
NHPD Bureau of Identification detectives responded to process the Howard Avenue scene and take possession of a loaded firearm. Notification was made to the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Yale Child Study Center. A Yale Child Study clinician responded to the hospital to speak with the family.
The investigation will be ongoing. Preliminarily, the investigation reveals the shooting occurred inside the residence and the child’s injuries were a result of an accidental firearm discharge.
New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said, “We mourn the tragic loss of such a young member of our community. We ask the community to join us in keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss, pain, and grief.”
Chief Reyes wants to thank the men and women of the NHPD and all our first responders for their compassion and professionalism during such a difficult incident.