3-Year-Old Boy Shoots His Twin Brother

3-Year-Old Boy Shoots His Twin Brother

A 3-year-old boy accidentally shot his twin brother with a gun that was left unattended at their home -- and now their caretakers are wanted by Virginia police.

Details are sketchy, but police say the boys were in their mom's Hopewell apartment on Monday when one of them fired a .25-caliber bullet that went through his brother's bottom and abdomen, according to WTVR. The victim is in a stable and improving condition, but his mom and her boyfriend are reportedly on the run.

Reashonda Sharelle Jones, 28, has been charged with two counts of child neglect, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and filing a false police report. Her boyfriend, 29-year-old Lewis Walter Jones, was charged with child neglect, obstruction of justice and evidence tampering, according to the Associated Press.

After the shooting, the mother reportedly didn't wait for paramedics and rushed her son to a local hospital. Her boyfriend dropped off the other 3-year-old boy at another girlfriend's house.

There were still unanswered questions on Tuesday. Police haven't yet recovered the gun, and couldn't find any neighbors who would admit that they heard a gunshot. It's also unclear how both suspects evaded custody.

"In the hood you hear one story but the real story isn’t out yet," neighbor Joe Marsh told WTVR.

Police say proper weapon storage could have prevented the shooting, which could have killed the little boy had the bullet gone inches in any direction. Two handguns were also found in the mom's vehicle, which was driven away by her boyfriend on the day of the shooting.

Child Protective Services is involved in the case.

Anyone with information on the two suspects' whereabouts is urged to call the Hopewell Police Department 804-541-2202.

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