Little boy, 5, shoots himself in the face at Wendy’s restaurant: Police

A 5-year-old is in critical condition after shooting himself in the face while inside his parents’ car at a Wendy’s fast food restaurant in North Carolina on Sunday.

WGN9 reports that the little boy was seated in booster seat in the backseat of the vehicle on Sunday afternoon, as his mother pulled through the Wendy’s drive-thru at 1029 High Point Street in Randleman, to order food. The boy reached forward a pulled out a .45 semi-automatic handgun from the pocket in the back of the front passenger seat, according to police.

The boy began playing with the gun and ended up shooting himself. The child’s mother called 911 and authorities arrived to the scene a little after 12:45 p.m. First responders rushed the boy to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

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According to the child’s mother, the gun belonged to his father. The father reportedly placed the gun in the pocket of the passenger seat while vacuuming the car a few days prior, and forgot to remove it afterward. The mother claimed she had no idea the gun was in the seat pocket.

So far, no one has been charged in the incident. Investigators are currently trying to determine if any charges will follow.

The story continues to develop. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.

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[Feature Photo: Google Maps/Aug. 2015]