Crime

9-year-old shot in ‘freak accident’ at public housing complex, Columbus police say

The Columbus Housing Authority has announced plans to rehabilitate the Warren Williams Homes north of Wynnton Road. The public housing complex was establish in 1945.
The Columbus Housing Authority has announced plans to rehabilitate the Warren Williams Homes north of Wynnton Road. The public housing complex was establish in 1945.

A 9-year-old boy was seriously injured Sunday night in what Columbus police have determined was an accidental discharge of a weapon inside an apartment at Warren Williams Homes.

The gun, which Maj. J.D. Hawk would only identify as a firearm, accidentally discharged when it hit the ground. No charges have been filed and the incident is still under investigation, Hawk said.

“It was a freak accident,” he said.

He did not release additional details.

Warren Williams Homes is a 160-unit apartment complex in midtown, managed by the Housing Authority of Columbus.

The boy was struck in the head by the discharge and taken to Piedmont Medical Center. He was then transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Egleston Hospital. His condition late Monday morning was unavailable from police.

Chuck Williams: 706-571-8510, @chuckwilliams

This story was originally published April 23, 2018 at 12:26 PM with the headline "9-year-old shot in ‘freak accident’ at public housing complex, Columbus police say."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER