Michigan Four-Year-Old Girl Accidentally Shoots Herself With Unsecured Gun, Man Charged with Six Felonies

A four-year-old girl has died after accidentally shooting herself with an unsecured firearm inside a Michigan home, a tragedy prosecutors say could have been prevented had the weapon been properly stored. A 22-year-old man is now facing multiple felony charges in connection with the child's death.

Police were called to a home in Lansing at around 11:40 a.m. on 21 January after reports that a young child had suffered a gunshot wound. Officers and emergency crews found the girl with a gunshot injury to her head. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prosecutors later confirmed the shooting was accidental and self-inflicted. Investigators said the child had gained access to a firearm that had been left unsecured inside the home.

Gun Was 'Improperly Stored', Prosecutors Say

According to a press release obtained by Law&Crime from the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office, the gun involved in the fatal shooting was 'improperly stored' and accessible to the child. Michigan law requires firearms to be secured using a gun lock or stored in a gun safe, particularly in homes where children are present.

Prosecutors have not released details about how the child found the weapon, but they stressed that the failure to secure the firearm played a central role in the case.

Man Legally Barred From Owning a Firearm

The man charged in the case, Maliki Pendergrass, had a prior felony conviction and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors charged him with six felony firearms offences, including two counts related to safe storage violations.

Pendergrass was arrested by the Lansing Police Department and sent to jail, where he is being held on $1 million (£730,000) bail. Court records show he is scheduled to make his next appearance on 6 February.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed the relationship between Pendergrass and the child. Prosecutors have limited their statements to confirming that the firearm was under his control and that he was responsible for ensuring it was stored safely.

'Completely Preventable' Death, Prosecutor Says

In a statement addressing the case, Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney John Dewane described the child's death as 'completely preventable'. He said the shooting would not have occurred had the firearm been secured in accordance with Michigan law.

'One life lost is one too many, and we must do everything in our power to protect our children from preventable tragedies like this,' Dewane said, adding that safe firearm storage remains a critical public safety issue.

Community Reacts to Child's Death

The fatal shooting has left neighbours in the apartment complex shaken. Local NBC affiliate WILX reported that residents expressed grief and frustration following the child's death.

One woman, who asked not to be identified and declined to appear on camera, spoke emotionally about the incident. 'They need to put the guns down,' she told the station. 'They just need to put them down, they need to go find something better to do.'

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The case remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare to move forward with the charges. Authorities have said additional details may emerge through court hearings and filings in the coming weeks.

For now, prosecutors say the focus remains on accountability and reinforcing the importance of safe gun storage to prevent similar incidents involving children.