Location: Lynnwood, Washington ~ A tragic accident early Tuesday morning has sent shockwaves through the South County community after a 4-year-old child gained access to an unsecured firearm and unintentionally shot his mother inside their Lynnwood home.
At approximately 8:01 a.m., deputies from the South County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 3100 block of 164th Street SW following a 911 call reporting an assault with a weapon. Upon arrival, they found a 42-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper left arm. Emergency medical personnel quickly transported her to Harborview Medical Center, where she is currently being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities confirmed that the shooting was accidental and that the four-year-old son of the victim had retrieved a loaded handgun from inside the residence. The child also sustained minor injuries in the incident, although the nature of those injuries has not been disclosed.
During the course of their investigation, deputies determined that the child had obtained the weapon from his father, a 44-year-old man, who was asleep on the couch at the time of the shooting. Multiple unsecured firearms were observed throughout the home, raising serious concerns about firearm safety and legal compliance.
As a result, the father was taken into custody and booked into the Snohomish County Jail on charges of:
- Reckless Endangerment
- Unlawful Storage of a Firearm
The couple’s two children, aged 4 and 9, have since been released to the care of family members, and Child Protective Services has been notified to conduct a follow-up welfare assessment.
Community Impact and Ongoing Concerns
This incident has reignited ongoing conversations surrounding firearm safety, responsible gun ownership, and child access prevention laws in Washington state and beyond. Officials emphasize that this tragic event serves as a painful reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from improper firearm storage, especially in homes with young children.
“While we are grateful this mother survived and that the child’s injuries were not more severe, this is a stark and heartbreaking example of what can happen when weapons are not secured,” said a spokesperson from the South County Sheriff’s Office. “This could have easily resulted in the death of a child, a parent, or both.”
A Call to Action
Local authorities and child safety advocates are urging all gun owners to secure firearms in locked safes or with trigger locks, especially in homes where minors are present. In Washington State, failure to safely store firearms may result in criminal charges if a minor gains access and causes harm.
Free gun locks and educational resources are often available through local law enforcement agencies and public health organizations. The Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to take advantage of these programs to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
Next Steps
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. No further details about the family or the specific type of firearm involved have been released at this time. Prosecutors are expected to review the case and may consider additional charges as the facts are fully assessed.
Further updates will be provided by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office as new information becomes available.
For more information or questions about firearm safety, please contact the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement Division.
Media Contact:
Public Information Officer
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
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