2-year-old shot, father arrested for reckless discharge in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A Springfield man was charged after his daughter was shot in the leg.

On August 8, a two-year-old girl was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her leg and a graze on her head. The Springfield Police Department did not provide a medical update on the toddler.

Springfield Officers began an investigation at the hospital that led them to the 3300 block of E. Enos Avenue.

Officers found two 9mm guns and ammunition in the bathroom of the home. There was a bullet hole in the bathroom wall and blood on a bed where the girl had been lying when she was shot. Police believe the girl's father, 34-year-old Averill F. McDonald, fired the gun.

McDonald was was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, unlawful possession of ammunition, reckless discharge of a firearm, endangering the life or health of a child, and defacing identification marks on a firearm.

He was taken to the Sangamon County Jail, but granted pre-trial release.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Anyone with information concerning this shooting can call the Springfield Police Department at 217-788-8311 and/or Sangamon/Menard County Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427.