Police say 2-year-old accidentally shoots mother’s boyfriend in Chesterfield home

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Police say a two-year-old accidentally shot their mother’s boyfriend Monday morning, leaving him in critical condition.

At 9:47 a.m. on Monday, Aug, 19, officers with the Chesterfield County Police Department responded to a reported shooting in the 4400 block of Butler Lane.

When officers arrived, police say they found a man who had been shot once. He was flown by helicopter to a local hospital and is in critical condition.

At this point in the investigation, police say it appears that the man was preparing to leave his house and had placed his handgun on a nearby chair, when a two-year-old — who is soon to turn three years old — picked up the gun.

Police say it is believed that the child accidentally fired the gun, shooting the man. No one else was injured, including the child.

The man is the boyfriend of the child’s mother, according to police.

Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call police Chesterfield Police at 804-748-1251.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.