Glendale man arrested for accidentally shooting daughter with shotgun
Apr 27, 2019, 3:51 PM | Updated: 3:51 pm
(KTAR News Photo/Taylor Kinnerup)
(KTAR News Photo/Taylor Kinnerup)
PHOENIX — A 26-year-old Glendale man arrested in the shooting of his 6-year-old daughter told police he was cleaning a shotgun and explaining gun safety to her before he dropped the loaded weapon and it discharged, critically wounding her, authorities said.
Eldon Mcinville was arrested Thursday and remained jailed Saturday on suspicion of child abuse/reckless and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A probable-cause statement said the girl was shot in the abdomen and faced multiple surgeries and lengthy hospitalization.
According to the statement, Mcinville told police that he had recently purchased the double-barreled shotgun and was cleaning it for the first time. He also said his daughter was in the room where he “was teaching her gun safety.”
The statement said Mcinville was the one who called 911. He told the dispatcher his daughter’s “intestines were visible.”
His 6-year-old daughter was airlifted to a hospital after being accidentally shot by her father in metro Phoenix on Thursday, authorities said.
Glendale Police Sgt. John Roth said the girl underwent surgery for unspecified life-threatening injuries, “but the outlook is promising that the child will come out of this.”
She was listed as stable but in serious condition and could need additional surgeries, Roth said.
The child was conscious and asking questions when responders arrived on the scene in the area of 75th and Glendale avenues.
According to Roth, investigators said the father tripped while going to put his shotgun away after cleaning it. He dropped the loaded weapon and it discharged, hitting the girl.
On the scene of a shooting in Glendale. Media is waiting to meet with police for confirmation but initial reports say a child was accidentally shot by their father. Reporting live from 75th Ave and Glendale. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/WCjGhd8ZCa
— Taylor Kinnerup (@KinnerupTaylor) April 25, 2019
The father called in to report the incident.
“First responders came on scene, and they said she was the bravest, strongest girl they’ve ever seen,” Roth said.
He said the family was distraught and fully cooperating.
Police were investigating to determine if the father was criminally negligent.
“Right now it might just be a tragic, tragic accident,” Roth said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
