Shreveport Police officers responded to a residence in the 6700 of Raspberry Lane on March 11 just after 7:30pm regarding a three-year-old child suffering from a gunshot wound.

Responding officers immediately contacted Violent Crimes detectives, who arrived at the scene to investigate. The child was transported to a local hospital, underwent surgery, and remains in critical condition but is expected to survive.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the three-year-old gained access to an unsecured firearm inside the residence and accidentally shot themselves while adults were present. The firearm’s owner, identified as Cedarius Mims, initially fled the scene, taking the weapon with him.

SPD detectives were able to contact Mims on March 12 and have him voluntarily return. He was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of Obstruction of Justice and one count of Second-Degree Cruelty to a Juvenile. 

The investigation remains ongoing.