Boy rushed to hospital after shooting self with flare gun in West Little River

A 2-year-old boy named Justin was rushed to the hospital after accidentally shooting himself with a flare gun in West Little River on Thursday, according to Miami-Dade Police.

Police reported that Justin somehow got hold of the flare gun while work was being done on a boat, which appeared to be parked in the backyard of a home near Northwest 103rd Street and Northwest 32nd Place. The boy’s grandfather stated that the flare gun burned Justin’s finger and then bounced off his chest.

It’s unclear what type of work was being done and if Justin was under supervision at the time. The child was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, though the grandfather later shared that Justin is stable and could be returning home soon.

News footage from Chopper6 captured the rescue helicopter in flight, along with scenes of an ambulance and first responders outside the residence.