Parents face felony charges in son’s shooting

    Parents of a 5-year-old Westland child killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound will face felony charges in the incident.

    According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, the handgun was not properly stored when the child found it in his home last week and fired it, fatally striking himself in the stomach. His parents, Timothy Gravel, 32, and Heather LeBlanc, 29, both of Westland, now are facing charges under the Michigan safe storage law, which went into effect in February. The law holds parents criminally responsible if their unsecured guns are found by minors who then kill or injure themselves or others with the weapon.
    “Another young child is dead because adults did not safely store their firearms — yes, that is plural. The death of this child was completely and totally preventable. This is the seventh one this year,” Worthy said in a statement announcing the charges.
    The incident took place at about 8:40 p.m. Nov. 7, according to Westland police reports, when officers responded to the family home in the 33000 block of Alamo Street. The child had apparently found the gun and fatally shot himself in the stomach, according to police. Officers immediately called for medical aid and the child was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
    The boy’s parents were arraigned on Monday in 18th District Court. Gravel received a $50,000 cash/surety bond; LeBlanc received a $25,000 cash/surety bond. The two are scheduled to appear at a probable cause conference today when a judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to send the couple to trial. If convicted, each faces up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
    The new state safe storage law, which went into effect Feb. 13, requires individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.
    If an individual fails to store a firearm as required and a minor obtains the firearm and any of the following occur, they are guilty of specific charges relating to the incident. If the minor possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or in the presence of another person in a careless, reckless or threatening manner, gun owners can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail or a fine of up to $500, or both. If the minor fires the weapon and injures themselves or another individual, felony charges punishable by up to five years in prison, a maximum $5,000 fine, or both can be filed against the gun owner or parents. If the minor child discharges the gun and seriously impairs a body function on themselves or another person, felony charges punishable by up to 10 years in a prison and/or a $7,500 fine. If the minor discharges the gun and kills themselves or another, felony charges punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $10,000 can be filed against the gun owner or person responsible for safe storage of the weapon.