FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The Fresno Police Department is urging parents to properly lock-up their guns after two children accidentally shot themselves over the weekend, leaving one child dead.
On Saturday morning, 3-year-old Bryson Vang died after he found his father’s loaded gun under a pillow and shot himself.
On Sunday, an 8-year-old boy shot his hand after accessing his grandfather’s handgun at a home in Southwest Fresno. He was transported to Valley Children’s Hospital and is expected to survive.
A press conference was held Monday morning by Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama to discuss Project Child Safe.
The chief said two months ago he ordered 10,000 gun locks and he is adding another 10,000 to the amount available for parents.
The public can obtain free gun locks as part of the program at any of the Police Headquarters and five District Stations that are re-opening to public effective tomorrow, June 29, 2021.
Members of the community can file police reports, have citations signed off, obtain police reports, get a free gun lock or have general questions answered.
The lobbies will be open to the public Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm.
“I am very excited to be able to open our lobbies back up to the public. Building community trust is a top priority for the Fresno Police Department and opening our lobbies will help us better-engage with the community we serve. With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, we will be increasing our community policing efforts throughout the city and the re-opening of our lobbies city-wide is the first step.” – Chief of Police Paco Balderrama
Police Headquarters 2323 Mariposa Street 621-7000
Southwest District 1211 Fresno Street 621-6100
Central District 3502 N Blackstone 621-6200
Southeast District 224 South Argyle 621-6300
Northeast District 1450 East Teague 621-6400
Northwest District 3080 West Shaw Avenue 621-6500
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
