Authorities in Utah are investigating the incident in which a 2-year old child was struck in the head with an apparent stray gunshot Monday.
The incident happened at a daycare center in Spanish Fork. This is about 50 miles south-southwest of Salt Lake City.
Detectives discovered that two adults were watching over a vinyl-fenced area where children were playing. Police said that a child stumbled and began bleeding on the face.
The daycare alerted the parents, who took their 2-year-old child to hospital for treatment. The doctors did not discover the bullet until they scanned the child at the hospital, according to police.
Police said that the child was stable after being transferred to Primary Children’s Hospital.
Police said that the incident appeared to be “tragic.”
Police said that the police believed the bullet may have originated from the open fields directly west of the daycare.
The police could not be reached immediately for comment on Wednesday. NBC News affiliate KSL in Salt Lake City reported that the incident took place at Leap Ahead daycare. The child injured is a boy.
Lane Mugleston told the news outlet that he was stunned by the apparent errorrant shooting. “We are completely surprised.” We are shocked that this could happen in Spanish Fork.
In a statement released to NBC News on Wednesday, the daycare said it was “absolutely devastated” by the incident and for both boy’s family.
Safety for children and staff has always been a top priority. We pray for him, his family and are hopeful of a full and complete recovery. We also pray for the shooter’s family. “I am sure that he did not know his bullet would travel so far.”
KSL reported on Wednesday that detectives had identified a person who was shooting at birds in the open fields west of the daycare with an air rifle calibre.22. The man has been cooperating with police as they continue their investigation. They will send the case to the Spanish Fork City Prosecutor’s Office for review.
News outlet reports that the man who shot at birds won’t be identified unless criminal charges are brought.
KSL reported that doctors treating the boy decided not to remove the bullet from his head, for fear of further injury if he underwent surgery.
Mugleston, a news outlet, said that the boy should make a complete recovery.
