TUCSON – Detectives with the Tucson Police Department have arrested two adults on felony child abuse charges in connection to the shooting death of a toddler on Tuesday, May 5.
According to Tucson Police, just before 1:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of W. Roger Road for the report of a shooting.
Officers found the child, 3-year-old Bryson Skinner, with obvious signs of gunshot trauma. Officers immediately began rendering aid until medics from the Tucson Fire Department responded and transported the child to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Bryson was declared deceased shortly after arrival.
Detectives conducted several interviews and obtained a search warrant for the residence. At the conclusion of the search and interviews, detectives arrested 19-year-old William Skinner, a family member of the victim and his girlfriend, 22-year-old Valerie Faidley. Both were charged with felony child abuse and transported to the Pima County Jail.
Investigators believe the shooting appears to be accidental and self-inflicted after the child found a handgun in the home.