New Orleans 18-Year-Old Arrested After 2-Year-Old Brother Allegedly Shot Himself in Leg

Police in New Orleans have announced the arrest of an 18-year-old following an incident in which his younger brother, age two, is alleged to have shot himself in the leg.

WVUE-TV reports Zyaire Cornelius was detained for questioning by the New Orleans Police Department in connection with the July 12 incident and ultimately arrested. According to police, the 2-year-old boy sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg, with the detective’s sworn affidavit stating this was due to Cornelius having left a gun in the backseat of his vehicle at a local gas station.

A press release shared by police on Wednesday said the incident occurred just before 4 p.m. local time, at which point officers were informed of a shooting involving a wounded two-year-old male. The victim, who has since been confirmed to be in stable condition, was given aid at the scene before being taken to a nearby hospital.

It’s further alleged that a subsequent search of the vehicle in which the shooting occurred resulted in police finding two different guns, including one they claim was determined to have been stolen. Cornelius was arrested on two counts including second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and possession of a stolen firearm.

In a separate and unrelated incident this week, per New Orleans police, another 2-year-old sustained a gunshot wound. The child was listed as still being hospitalized on Thursday but is expected to recover, while the child’s mother was cited for a violation of the responsibilities of owners of firearms with respect to minors ordinance.