Indiana man faces felony charges after 2-year-old shoots him with found handgun

2-Year-Old Shoots Indiana Man, Resulting in Felony Charges

In an unfortunate incident, an Indiana man now faces serious legal repercussions after being shot in the back by a 2-year-old toddler who stumbled upon a loaded firearm on a bed. This unsettling event has led to felony charges against the individual, shedding light on the importance of firearm safety.

Justin T. Wiley, a 32-year-old resident of Fort Wayne, has recently been charged with two serious offenses: neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and unlawful possession of a handgun. Wiley’s legal troubles are compounded by the fact that he is not permitted to carry a firearm due to prior felony convictions, as reported by The Journal Gazette.

The incident unfolded on September 9, when Fort Wayne police officers responded to a call and discovered Wiley suffering from a gunshot wound in his upper back. The circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event are deeply concerning.

The shooting took place within the home of a woman who held an active protection order against Wiley. According to a probable cause affidavit, Wiley had placed the loaded firearm on a bed, and it was during this moment that the 2-year-old child came into contact with the weapon and inadvertently discharged it.

The woman present at the scene confirmed hearing the gunshot, after which Wiley exclaimed, “He shot me.” The child, on the other hand, displayed injuries to his right pointer finger, marked by gunpowder residue, swelling, and blistering. Throughout the incident, the toddler repeated the word “owie” while examining his injured finger, underscoring the grave consequences of this avoidable situation.

Following his initial court appearance on Monday, Wiley was released on bond, pending further legal proceedings. As this case unfolds, the importance of responsible firearm handling and storage remains a critical issue, serving as a stark reminder that negligence in this regard can result in severe consequences.

The Associated Press attempted to reach out to Wiley for comment on the charges but received no response. Additionally, there are currently no listed attorneys who can represent him in this matter.