Sitka police are investigating a near-tragedy that occurred over the weekend, when a small child playing with an assault rifle fired shots into his trailer court. No one was injured in the incident, but police say it was a very close call.
Sitka police say a four-year-old fired multiple shots from a trailer on Halibut Point Road on Sunday (10-25-20).
Three police officers arrived at a trailer after receiving multiple calls of gunshots. A vehicle parked outside had two bullet holes in the driver’s side door, but no one was hurt. Sergeant Lance Ewers said the scene was chaotic.
“To be honest with you, it was absolutely terrifying. Very scary,” he said. “There were people from the trailer court who were leaving their residences and trying to seek cover.”
When they approached the trailer where the bullets had come from, a toddler answered the door. The child had been playing with an unsecured weapon which Ewers described as a “high-powered assault rifle called an AK-47.” The bullets went through the trailer walls and into the vehicle outside.
The toddler’s father was asleep in the back of the house and a two-year-old brother was in his crib when it happened. Ewers said he’s thankful no one was hurt.
“When kids get ahold of guns, they could kill themselves, they could kill, in this case, the child could’ve very easily killed the other child that was living in the residence,” he said. “It could’ve hurt somebody living next door. Killed somebody living next door.”
It highlights the importance of securing guns, Ewers said, especially in Alaska where many households have firearms for hunting and wildlife safety.
“It’s the last frontier and people have firearms. And, you know, firearms and children don’t mix, and it is the adults’ responsibility that certainly toddlers have zero access to firearms,” he said.
He said the Sitka Police Department can provide gun locks for people who need them. Alcohol did play a role in the incident, and the case is being forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Children’s Services.
Erin McKinstry is a Report for America corps member.
