ROSEBUD — An infant, reportedly 10-months-old, suffered an abdominal wound around noon Tuesday in what is being described as an apparent accidental shooting inside a residence on Crystal Lane on the north side of Rosebud.

Sheriff’s deputies on the scene were gathering information from local firemen who responded to the E-911 call for an accidental gunshot wound to a young child. An older child, reportedly 3-years-old, had apparently obtained a loaded pistol from his grandmother’s purse and discharged one round, striking the younger child in the side of the abdomen. 

“It appears to be an accident,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Rob Robertson.

The pistol was recovered from the kitchen, made safe, and placed in an evidence bag, according to Robertson.

Gerald Area Ambulance District personnel arrived within minutes of the woman’s call for help. They transported him by ground to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis since air ambulance assets were unable to fly due to weather conditions.

Deputies secured the residence on the east end of the 400 block of Crystal Lane with yellow tape since the maternal grandmother reportedly went in the ambulance with the child.

The child’s paternal grandfather, Clyde Zelch, spoke with The Republican late Tuesday afternoon and said doctors were preparing to operate on the boy  whom he identified as Alexander Zelch.

“I’m starting to believe he’s going to live through it,” Zelch said. “I’m hoping they can sew him together and fix him back up.”

Zelch, who was reached at his home where he was watching with the boy’s brother, Bryson, said he was told it appears this was simply a tragic accident.

“The lesson to be learned is put your firearms up,” said Zelch. “Way up. It’s got to be impossible to get them.”

It’s a lesson he’s taught many times over the years as a firearms instructor who has taught conceal-carry certification courses in the region including at the Owensville Gun Club.

“I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone,” said Zelch. “You have to hammer it in to people about firearms safety. You have to put the stuff up. Way more than you think. We pray the baby will he healed and that everyone gets scared straight and that you realize you have to put these things up. I really believe the baby is going to live.”

Zelch said he was told his grandson’s injuries did not include damage to any vital organs but that there was surgery being conducted.

“We pray to God the doctors have the skill to heal him and hopefully everyone will learn something from this,” said Zelch.