In Detroit, the community came together on Saturday, September 7, for a gun safety event organized by the Detroit Police Department after a tragic incident involving a 3-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself with an unsecured firearm. The event, called “Make Them Safe, Keep Them Safe,” was held at Rouge Park and focused on educating residents about gun safety and distributing free gun locks.

This initiative came in response to a heartbreaking situation that occurred on the city’s east side on Friday, September 6, when a young boy accidentally shot himself in the face with his mother’s gun. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full physical recovery, but as Police Chief James White pointed out, the emotional scars will likely remain with him for a lifetime. Following the incident, Child Protective Services were brought in to assess the situation.

The boy’s mother explained that she had just come home from work and placed the gun on a dresser. Within minutes, her son found the weapon and shot himself. There was a lockbox in the home, but the gun was not stored there at the time. Chief White emphasized the importance of responsible gun ownership, stating, “Enough is enough. We’ve all got to do a better job of protecting our kids.”

To help prevent such tragedies in the future, the police handed out free gun locks and shared important information about firearm safety. Sgt. William Tatum expressed his frustration with the ongoing issue, saying, “I am tired of watching the news and seeing people not be responsible.”

The event wasn’t just about handing out locks—it was about spreading awareness. Curshawn Drake, a participant, stressed that keeping weapons locked up is essential for everyone’s safety, especially children. The event also offered free food and various resources to encourage community participation and spread the message of safety and responsibility.