HAMPTON, Va. — One day after a one-year-old was accidentally shot by another child, Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck says more needs to be done to prevent further harm.
"There's lives involved," said Tuck. "There is the victim and the family that he or she is a part of. Then there's also the perpetrator and the family that he or she is a part of, and so you've got two families that are hurt."
Hampton police call Tuesday's incident on Clyde Street "isolated" and "accidental."
Mayor Tuck says that lowering gun-related incidents with children is an emphasis for the city. A few years back, he formed a coalition with the other mayors in the area to combat the issue.
"Our concern has been laser-focused since about 2013 on juvenile gun-related incidences. A part from two early this year, one in January, another in February, we have not had one until yesterday," the mayor explained.
He promised that resources would be made available for those affected by the situation.
"We have a victim's witness assistance program. We have a reset program that goes out to the community and tries to put that community at ease again," said Tuck.
Tuck feels adults need to do more to protect their children better and prevent situations like this.
"I think parents have to understand that when you leave a weapon lying around that a child can pick that weapon up, think it's a toy, or even just fire it not knowing what the results would be," he said.