Guardian of 4-year-old arrested after girl shoots self at Wichita business, police say

A 50-year-old Wichita woman was arrested after a 4-year-old girl accidentally shot herself at a south Wichita business on Friday, Wichita police said Saturday morning.

The woman, who was arrested on suspicion of aggravated child endangerment, is the child’s guardian, police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said in a news release.

The girl was shot in the lower torso. She remained hospitalized in critical condition, Gupilan said in the news release around 9:45 a.m. Saturday.

Police were called about the shooting at 1:50 p.m. in the 2500 block of East Harry.

“After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child’s guardian left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves,” Gupilan said. “This remains an active investigation.”

Records show the woman was arrested at a smoke shop at a strip mall in that block.

“Securing and locking firearms is a vital responsibility for every gun owner,” Gupilan said. “Incidents like this, where a child gains access to an unsecured weapon, impact not just the individuals involved but the entire community. The Wichita Police Department urges all firearm owners to secure their weapons at home. To assist, we offer free firearm locks at all local substations — no questions asked.”

The police department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Wesley Medical Center held a news conference last month to publicize an uptick in children being shot. A 1-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy have been killed this year. A hospital official said they had had six serious injuries this year involving guns and children; she thinks the number this year will surpass the 22 last year.