A Chicago man is facing a handful of felony charges in connection with the death of a 2-year-old boy who suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound over the weekend.
Johnny Hughes, 31, has been charged with child endangerment, possession of a firearm by a felony offender, and unlawful use of a weapon, according to Chicago police.
The charges stem from a shooting that unfolded inside an apartment on the city’s Far South Side on Sunday.
According to court documents, the victim was home with his mother and two siblings at the time of the incident.
Prosecutors say Hughes, who also lived in the apartment, had fallen asleep on the couch at the time the child managed to get hold of the gun. After the victim’s mother heard the gunshot, she found the child and the gun in the living room of the apartment.
The child suffered a single gunshot wound to his head and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police responded to the scene and took Hughes into custody.
On scene, prosecutors said Hughes told officers that the victim had shot himself and apologized. He additionally told police that he had been drinking the night before and stored the firearm, which was wrapped in a piece of clothing, in the closet.
Hughes told police that he believed that the child may have gotten hold of the gun while searching for juice, as the juice was stored in the same closet.
Why is juice kept in a bedroom closet?
Hughes, who was denied a FOID card and does not have a concealed carry license, said “we purchased it,” when the officers asked how he received the gun.
Mom's boyfriend charged in death of 2-year-old boy who shot himself in Pullman
Johnny R. Hughes, 31, was charged with child endangerment resulting in death, possession of a firearm as a repeat felon, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon. He is the boyfriend of the toddler's mom, police said.
