Kansas City-area man charged with murder after 2-year-old shot himself with a handgun
A Gladstone man has been charged with murder, accused of failing to properly secure a handgun that a 2-year-old boy allegedly located and used to shoot himself, according to prosecutors.
Christopher Ray Ellis, 30, was indicted by a Clay County grand jury and is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree child endangerment. The shooting happened Sept. 24 at the Creeks of Gladstone Apartments in the 100 block of Northeast 59th Terrace.
Arriving officers found the boy suffering from a gunshot wound. Police officers and other emergency workers administered first aid to the child.
The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The indictment alleges Ellis failed to supervise the child, who was able to gain access to a handgun.
Police said at the time of the shooting it appeared the child “found an unsecured handgun in the residence and shot himself.”
Prosecutors requested a $250,000 bond.
This story was originally published January 29, 2020 at 5:24 PM.
