Parents react after dad accidentally shoots 4-year-old son in Cranston

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — A 4-year-old Cranston boy is still fighting for his life Wednesday night after being accidentally shot by his father, 33-year-old Michael Jones.

Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist said Jones was handling a loaded gun on the second floor of their home on Queen Street, when he accidentally discharged the gun Tuesday morning.

Nearby parents are concerned, with Arlington Elementary being roughly 0.2 miles from Jones’ home where the shooting happened.

“That’s the worst thing there is, I don’t know why the father had a gun on him, people shouldn’t have a gun on them in the house. Lock it up or something and even if they lock it up, sometimes the kids get to it,” said a parent picking his child up from the school.

The parent claimed the school has recently went into lockdown, making him worried about his son.

“Cranston is getting ridiculous, a lot of things are happening, this is the second time they’ve closed down the school, and I get worried about my son. I don’t know what to do, I’m just tired of it here,” the parent continued. “They had a lockdown, they called me and I picked him up early because I was worried about him.”

Jones was ordered held without bail for a pending DUI charge. He was given a $50,000 bond with surety on the three new charges against him.

In connection to the shooting, Jones was charged with felony assault, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and firing in a compact area.

Jones is not allowed to own a gun due to a previous felony assault charge.

He is due back in court for a violation hearing next Thursday. In connection to the shooting, Jones is due back in court in January 2024.

Meanwhile, his son is undergoing life-saving procedures at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.