Cousin Turns In Self After Westmoreland Co. Boy, 4, Shot In Eye
ARNOLD (KDKA) - A relative of a 4-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself in the face has turned himself into police.
Aaron Alexander Beasley, 18, surrendered to police and was arraigned at the New Kensington magistrate's office.
He is a cousin of the little boy who was so badly wounded last month. Police believe the gun used was in Beasley's possession.
"Mr. Beasley was charged with recklessly endangering another person as well as some minor drug charges," says defense attorney, Kevin Abramovitz.
Beasley, who says he's working on getting a GED lives with his mother, Yvette Alexander, and a brother, in a rented house on Kenneth Avenue in Arnold, Westmoreland County.
On July 10th, Yvette Alexander was babysitting for her 4-year-old nephew, Anthony, while his parents' worked. Police believe that the child found the small caliber handgun on a night stand in Beasely's basement bedroom, accidentally firing it into his left eye.
"It remains to be seen whether he had any responsibility for that gun. As far as we know that gun was not in his hand."
In police interviews, Beasley has admitted seeing the gun that morning but claims it belongs to someone else.
Armed with two search warrants, investigators combed the house and property locating drug paraphernalia, marijuana and heroin in stamp bags in addition to finding .22-caliber shells with Beasley's wallet.
"I believe the child is okay although I believe that the child did have some permanent damage to his eye."
Aaron Beasley is being held on a $25,000 straight bond.
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