A nine-year-old Arizona boy is fighting for his life after he was shot by his two-year-old brother who was using a loaded gun that their mother left on her bed.
The boy’s mother, Wendy Lavarnia, 28, was arrested and is facing four counts of child endangerment after her nine-year-old son was shot in the head by his younger brother and put on life support on Monday, March 21.
According to AZ Central, Lavarnia had previously let the toddler ‘practice pulling the trigger’ in their home in Phoenix, Arizona, when the weapon was unloaded. She told police she left the gun on her bed while her two sons were nearby and as she was retrieving a holster for the weapon.
The unnamed nine-year-old is not expected to survive and remains on life support.
Via AZ Central:
The boy was found shot at a residence in the 3500 block of Rosewood Avenue, which is just north of Cactus Road, said Phoenix police Sgt. Vince Lewis. Officials received a call about 3:00 P.M. from the home. Lewis said three other children also were in the house at the time of the shooting, as well as the boy’s mother.
The circumstances of the shooting are under investigation, including who pulled the trigger, Lewis said. The investigation has not ruled out the possibility the shooting was accidental, he said.
The boy’s father, Kansas Lavarnia, was also taken into custody, despite not in the house at the time of the accident.
Wendy’s bond is set at $25,000. She can not return back to the home or have contact with her children unless the court allows it.
What Happened?
An unnamed nine-year-old Phoenix, Arizona boy is on life support after he was shot by his two-year-old brother. The toddler brother had previously been allowed to ‘practice pulling the trigger’ while it was unloaded.
Who are Wendy & Kansas Lavarnia?
Wendy and Kansas Lavarnia are the parents of the nine-year-old boy who was shot by his toddler brother in Phoenix, Arizona.