WARREN, Mich. – A 56-year-old man was arraigned Monday, April 22, in connection with his 8-year-old son shooting himself in the head with his father’s gun.
The boy was critically injured. According to authorities, the incident occurred on Friday, April 19, after he found an unsecured handgun inside of his home at the Cove on 10 Apartment Complex on 10 Mile and Hoover roads. The child was rushed to Ascension St. John for treatment.
Prosecutors said Theo Nichols did not have his handgun properly stored, which resulted in the boy shooting himself in the face.
Nichols was charged with child abuse in the second degree, firearm safe storage violation - premises under individual’s control, minor present and inflicted serious impairment of a body function upon self or another, possession of firearm by a prohibited person and firearm safe storage violations - premises under individual’s control - minor present and possessed or exhibited. He was charged as a habitual third offender.
His bond was set at $250,000, cash/surety only. Nichols is expected to return to court for a probable cause hearing April 30.