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Boy in Kagman shooting returns; police await consent to interview
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Posted on Jun 12 2023
The 7-year-old boy who was shot in the face while playing with a gun in Kagman last month has returned to Saipan following treatment in Guam. The Department of Public Safety currently awaits his parent’s consent to interview the child.
Saipan Tribune learned that the child involved in the shooting last May 21 in Kagman is back on island, but DPS spokesperson Fred Sato said in a statement that the boy has yet to be questioned about the incident and the investigation continues.
“If the victim’s mother gives investigators consent, then an interview will be conducted. Investigators need the consent first,” he stated.
Currently, no new progress has been reported about the shooting incident.
Over a week ago, DPS Commissioner Clement Bermudes confirmed that a law enforcement officer resides in the home and that a service-issued firearm was in the home during the incident. Whether the gun involved in the shooting incident was that service firearm remains a question, though.
In addition, Bermudes said that DPS is collaborating with the Office of the Attorney General’s criminal division in this matter.
Meanwhile, DPS remains in contact with the Guam Police Department in terms of the ballistics analysis sought in this case.
“We are still in communication with the Guam Police Department. As you know, due to the [typhoon] damage in Guam, it’s a matter of priorities. Once we receive the results of the examination, we will release it. We understand that this is a high-profile case so we want to be careful and let the analysis reveal exactly what weapon was used,” Bermudes earlier said.
The incident happened last May 21. Police stated that the child and another minor in the home were playing with the firearm in question before the boy was shot. It remains unclear who shot the minor, whether he shot himself or if he was accidentally shot by the other minor.
