Authorities in Wabasha County, Minnesota have arrested and charged a couple after three children were left in a van with an unsecured gun leading to an accidental shooting of a boy last week.
Raymond Tony Duque and Nicole Lynn McGee were on Tuesday charged with child endangerment and negligent firearm storage. Duque faces an additional count of possession of a firearm with a conviction for a crime of violence.
On June 25, Duque and McGee left three children unattended inside a parked van with an unsecured, loaded shotgun leading to the accidental shooting of a 6-year-old boy.
The boy remains hospitalized after suffering a gunshot wound to the right hip, authorities said.
Duque claimed the 12-gauge shotgun was placed between the driver’s seat and the center console by a friend and denied possessing the weapon.
“(McGee) couldn’t remember when the gun was put in the car. When asked if it was always there, she said ‘sometimes, yeah.’”
“When asked if the kids knew the gun was in the vehicle she replied. ‘I’m sure, I’m sure they know.’ When asked if it was (Duque’s) gun she said yes.”
McGee also admitted that the children were playing with the gun when it went off.
