Teenage child shooting suspect arrested after gun left unsecured

BOWIE, M.D. – The Prince George’s County Police Department Gun Crimes Unit has identified and charged the suspect who left a firearm unsecured, leading to a young child shooting himself on Sunday. The child remains in hospital but is expected to make a full recovery. This afternoon, the PGPD Fugitive Unit located and arrested 18-year-old Elijah Fauntleroy of Temple Hills.

On November 3, 2024, at approximately 3:50 p.m., officers responded to a home in the 600 block of Brookedge Court in the unincorporated neighborhood of Bowie. Officers determined the child was suffering from a gunshot wound.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Fauntleroy brought the gun into the home and left it unattended in the living room. The child took the gun and unintentionally fired a shot, hitting himself once. After the shooting, the suspect grabbed the gun and ran out of the house.

The suspect is charged with reckless endangerment and multiple firearms offenses and taken to the correctional facility.

Anyone with information about this case and would like to speak with a Gun Crimes Unit detective can call 301-772-8960.

Anyone with information can also contact Crime online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, through the P3 Tips mobile app (search P3 Tips in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app to your mobile device). Contact Solvers or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please note case number 24-0065684.

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