BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – 26-year-old Jacoby Joseph is facing one count of Second Degree Cruelty to a Juvenile after a 3-year-old was accidentally shot on Wednesday, November 4.

The accidental shooting occurred in the 5600 block of Kilona Dr.

Detectives learned that Joseph had unbuckled the 3-year-old from a car seat and left the child in the backseat.

Along with the child, Joseph left “a loaded rifle on the rear floor of the vehicle,” according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

Joseph came back to the vehicle after hearing a gun shot.

The 26-year-old says that aid was rendered to the child and emergency personnel were notified about the incident.

The 3-year-old is expected to be ok and EBRSO provided this statement after the shooting, “it is very fortunate that this child was not killed or further injured,” Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said. “Properly securing and storing your firearms must be a top priority at all times.”

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office also provided some firearm safety tips below:

  • Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
  • Be sure to read the manual on your firearm so you know how it operates.
  • Understand and use manual safety mechanisms that are available on your firearms, but do not rely on them entirely. Store your firearms in a locked cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case when not in use.
  • Store your ammunition in a locked location separate from your firearms.
  • Make sure young people in your home are aware of and understand the safety guidelines concerning firearms. Inform them that if they find an unattended firearm not to touch it, and tell an adult immediately.
  • Always keep the firearm’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction. DO NOT point the firearm at anything you are not intending to shoot.
  • Always keep your finger off the trigger until you actually intend to shoot.