This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7592608.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Shot baby dies from airgun wounds | Shot baby dies from airgun wounds |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An 18-month-old boy who was shot in the head with an airgun in his Birmingham home has died in hospital. | An 18-month-old boy who was shot in the head with an airgun in his Birmingham home has died in hospital. |
Rashid Ullah was shot in the garden of his home in Washwood Heath on 24 August. | Rashid Ullah was shot in the garden of his home in Washwood Heath on 24 August. |
It is believed one of his sisters accidentally shot him after picking up the airgun, which her father had been using for target practice. | |
The boy, who was being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital, died on Monday afternoon, police said. | The boy, who was being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital, died on Monday afternoon, police said. |
West Midlands Police said the incident appeared to be a "tragic accident". Police investigations are continuing. | West Midlands Police said the incident appeared to be a "tragic accident". Police investigations are continuing. |
The toddler was left in a critical condition after the incident and surgeons had been waiting for the swelling to go down before they could remove the pellet. | The toddler was left in a critical condition after the incident and surgeons had been waiting for the swelling to go down before they could remove the pellet. |
After Rashid was injured, his family released a statement which said: "We hope anyone who has an air weapon realises how dangerous these guns can be." | |
Campaigners' call | |
The case has been referred to Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board for further consideration, in line with any child death in the city. | |
A spokesman for the board said: "Any child death is a tragedy and our thoughts are with Rashid's family at this difficult period. We are co-operating fully with the police at this time." | |
Campaigners earlier called for legislation to register airguns and make their owners more liable for their weapons' misuse. | Campaigners earlier called for legislation to register airguns and make their owners more liable for their weapons' misuse. |
The Gun Control Network, which campaigns for tighter controls on guns of all kinds, has said such incidents were preventable. | The Gun Control Network, which campaigns for tighter controls on guns of all kinds, has said such incidents were preventable. |
But the National Small-bore Rifle Association said the government had already rejected certification. | But the National Small-bore Rifle Association said the government had already rejected certification. |
The association added that tighter controls on the purchase and possession of airguns had come into force last October but it was "too early to know" what effect they had had on their misuse. | The association added that tighter controls on the purchase and possession of airguns had come into force last October but it was "too early to know" what effect they had had on their misuse. |