A child from Harlem was transferred to a local hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm, according to the Harlem Police Department.
The incident occurred on January 16, 2025, just after 8 p.m., in the 200 block of North Fairview Drive. Harlem Police responded to reports of a gunshot wound involving a juvenile. When officers arrived, they provided immediate aid to the child until emergency medical services (EMS) and the Fire Department arrived.
Authorities revealed that the child had found an unsecured gun in his father’s room and accidentally discharged it, hitting himself in the shoulder. The child was conscious and alert at the scene and is expected to make a full recovery.
Spencer Johnson, the father, was arrested and charged with Cruelty to Children in the 2nd degree. He has been transported to the Columbia County Detention Center. The incident is still under investigation, and police are working to determine how the firearm came to be unsecured.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of unsecured firearms in homes and the potential dangers they pose, particularly to children. Parents are reminded of the importance of keeping firearms secure and out of reach to prevent such accidents.
