DUMFRIES, Va. — A 4-year-old boy was wounded after he found a gun inside his home and accidentally shot himself in the leg. Now, his father faces charges.

Just before 1:50 p.m. Saturday, police were called to the Townsquare at Dumfries Apartments on the 3900 block of Townsquare Court. When they arrived, they learned the 4-year-old boy had found the gun unsecured inside a closet.

While he was holding the gun, it fired and struck him in the leg.

Officers immediately began giving the toddler first aid, and the boy was brought to a nearby hospital. Police say the boy is expected to survive.

Gerardo Anthonio Meija, the boy's father, was charged with allowing access to firearms by children. He was later released on a court summons.

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