What witnesses saw moments before 6-year-old shot himself

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – The Summerville Police Department is investigating after a 6-year-old accidentally shot himself in a Summerville parking lot.

Officers responded to the Pagoda restaurant on the 1700 block of Old Trolley Road at 7:39 p.m. on Tuesday following reports of a 6-year-old being shot.

Officials say the boy accidentally shot himself near the knee area.

Upon arrival, the victim was being loaded into an ambulance to be transported to a local hospital. Officers also observed a black semi-automatic handgun inside of the glovebox of a black 2009 Saturn Vue parked in front of the Pagoda entrance, according to reports.

A pool of blood, medical supplies, and a small child’s shoe covered with blood was also visible.

Officers spoke with a witness who was walking through the parking lot at the time of the shooting. According to reports, she heard a single gunshot coming from the area the Saturn was parked. She stated she approached the car and saw a small child with an obvious wound to his leg.

The woman retrieved a bag of medical supplies from her vehicle and assisted in rendering aid to the child.

A second witness who did not see the incident but heard the gunshot also assisted in rendering aid.

Reports detail a third witness who was parked directly in front of the Saturn who also heard the gunshot while standing by her passenger side door. Reports say she then saw a child run from around the Saturn, followed by a younger child who walked around from the opposite side of the vehicle with an apparent wound to the leg.

The third witness also observed the mother rush out of the restaurant to both children.

According to the report, the mother went inside the Pagoda to pick up food while her three children remained inside the vehicle. The 6-year-old was in the passenger seat and somehow accidentally discharged the firearm inside the glovebox.

No arrests have been made at this time. Officers say there is no threat to the public.