Parents charged after boy shoots self with unsecured gun

MADISON HEIGHTS — Authorities are warning families to safely secure their firearms after a Madison Heights boy accidentally injured himself with a gun belonging to his parents, who now face up to a decade in prison.

The incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, when Madison Heights police were called to Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak regarding the shooting victim, age 9.

Investigators came to learn that the boy had shot himself by mistake in his left hand with a gun belonging to his stepdad. The boy is said to be in stable condition.

“The biological mother brought the gun into the house from her vehicle,” said Madison Heights Police Lt. David Koehler. “Both parents are being charged.”

The stepfather — Jacob Zachary Gean, 27 — and the mother — Jessie Gean, 25 — were both arraigned before Magistrate Michael Mitchell in Madison Heights 43rd District Court Aug. 25.

They are both charged with a firearms safe storage violation (with a minor present and a resulting serious injury), which is a 10-year felony. Each was given a $50,000 personal bond.

At press time, neither suspect had an attorney on file, according to court records.

“The law requires that you keep your firearm securely stored, either in a safe or with the gun lock applied,” Koehler said. “Every firearm comes with a gun lock when purchased. Occasionally, we’ll give out no-cost gun locks to residents at the police station. Residents can check in to see if any are currently available. They’re locks that will fit pretty much every gun in some way in order to help safely store the gun.”

The lieutenant said parents should remember they will be held responsible if their gun falls into the hands of their child or another person.

“Locking and storing the gun could prevent something more serious from happening, which is why the (state) Legislature has made it a 10-year felony if someone is injured by a gun that wasn’t stored safely,” Koehler said. “Gun ownership should be treated extremely seriously.”