Father Turns Himself in for Shooting of 3-Year-Old Son

Jameer WalkerJameer Walker

WEST CHESTER, PA — The Chester County District Attorney’s Office announced that Jameer Walker, age 24, of Thorndale, Pennsylvania, is charged with endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, and carrying a firearm without a license.

According to a statement released by Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan, Walker turned himself in Friday for the shooting of his 3-year-old son in Caln Township in July 2022. On July 30, 2022, Caln Township Police were dispatched to the parking lot of Caln Plaza in the 1800 block of Lincoln Hwy in Coatesville for the report of a child shot in the leg. When they arrived, police found the defendant on the ground holding his 3-year-old son, who was bleeding profusely from the hip and groin. An officer began administering first aid until EMS from Washington Hose Company arrived and transported the victim to Paoli Hospital. Investigators learned that the child was able to easily access the loaded and unsecured gun while he was inside the car as the defendant was outside talking with another person. The child shot himself one time in the groin area.

“This is a tragic but all too frequent incident of a child gaining access to a loaded firearm and shooting themselves or someone else,” said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “Fortunately, this child will survive. But it is a lesson for everyone – fathers, mothers, friends, and neighbors – to keep all firearms secured and out of reach of children. Firearm-related injuries are now the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States. We must do better.”

READ:  Wilmington Police Investigate Shooting on West 28th Street

The charges against Walker resulted from an investigation conducted by Caln Township Police and Chester County Detectives. Deputy District Attorney Erin O’Brien is the assigned prosecutor.

Walker was released on $5,000 bail set by Chester County Magisterial District Judge Ann Feldman. A preliminary hearing is set for September 28, 2022.

Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News.