Police officers in Tennessee arrested the owner of gun that an 8-year-old boy obtained and accidentally fired at a baseball game, hitting his mother.
The boy discovered the gun inside an antique World War II Jeep that was inside U.S.A. Stadium in Millington, where the annual Babe Howard Baseball Classic game was being played between the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee at Martin on May 14.
“The child found an unsecured handgun inside the vehicle and believed it was a toy gun,” the Millington Police Department said in a statement. “The child picked up the gun and pulled the trigger, firing a round which struck the child’s mother.”
The mother was rushed to the hospital and was listed in critical condition. The game was suspended due to the shooting.
NOW: Millington PD has blocked off USA stadium after a child somehow got their hands on a gun and shot a woman. We don’t know the woman’s condition at this time. @FOX13Memphis pic.twitter.com/tR50DuPCL6
— Kirstin Garriss (@ReporterGarriss) May 15, 2019
CHIEF: The gun was in an antique car that was on display inside the stadium. Child got his hands on the gun and accidentally shot his mother. She was rushed to Regional One where she went from critical to now stable condition. @FOX13Memphis pic.twitter.com/gwC1gKnik6
— Kirstin Garriss (@ReporterGarriss) May 15, 2019
Police traced the gun to its owner, 76-year-old Charles McFarland Jr., and then arrested and charged him with reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.
“Everybody’s got a right to carry if they’ve got a permit,” Millington police chief Mark Dunbar said, reported the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “But you need to use common sense about securing your weapons.”
Police said the man doesn’t have a criminal record.
“He’s never been in trouble a day in his life. Just a mistake,” Dunbar said, reported Fox 13.
Millington Police say the child found a pistol in a bag inside a vintage car on display inside @USAStadium during the annual Babe Howard Classic baseball game. Car’s owner being detained by police. No charges filed at this point. #wmc5 pic.twitter.com/0xV12mpKDV
— Joyce Peterson (@MemphoNewsLady) May 15, 2019
McFarland is part of the Mid-South Vehicle Preservation Association, a club that on its website says its purpose is “to provide adequate organization for historians, military vehicle preservationists, and collectors interested in and encouraging the acquisition, preservation, restoration, operation, public education and display of military transport.”
“Such to be accomplished through the publication of a club periodical, encouragement and support of museums, participation and support of national and community even (sic) and such other activities as the members deem appropriate from time to time,” it stated.
A message from McFarland telling members to renew their dues is on the site and his name is listed as a contact for people wanting more information about the club.
A look at what is NOT allowed inside @USAStadium in Millington per stadium website. Notice what’s not included? Police say a child got hold of an unsecured gun in the stadium & accidentally shot his mother at the U of M baseball game tonite. Mom’s in critical condition. #wmc5 pic.twitter.com/eqkKRJn8KY
— Joyce Peterson (@MemphoNewsLady) May 15, 2019
He was being held without bond.
The 8-year-old’s identity has not been released.
In a statement sent to news outlets, the Millington school district said: “Millington Municipal Schools is very concerned about the news of one of our students. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”
Anyone with information was asked to call the Criminal Investigations Division at 901-873-5600, Millington Police Department Dispatch after hours at 901-872-3333. Anonymous tips may be submitted to 528-CASH.
