MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A 2-year-old Miami-Dade boy is recovering after police said he shot himself with a flare gun.
Lazaro Hernandez, the boy’s father, said he was working on his boat in the backyard of his home near Northwest 103rd Street and 32nd Avenue while his son, Justin, was nearby.
Hernandez said before he knew it, his son had gotten hold of the flare gun and it went off.
“At the moment, I was very scared,” he told Local 10 in Spanish.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue rushed the boy to the hospital by rescue helicopter. Hernandez said Justin suffered burns to his hand and chest but is expected to be okay. He later returned home.
On Friday, two representatives from the Florida Department of Children and Families came to the house. The investigation is ongoing, but the incident appears to be an accident, according to authorities.
Hernandez expected Justin to be released from the hospital Friday evening.
“He’s doing very well,” he said.
Flare guns and signaling devices are required on most boats as part of their safety equipment.