The Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A 4-year-old boy accidentally killed himself with his police-officer mother’s gun as she dropped her children off at school, police said Thursday. The gun apparently fell between the two front seats of the car as the mother leaned over to comb her daughter’s hair.
The 35-year-old mother is a sergeant with the San Juan police department and her statement will be taken in more detail when she is ready, Commissioner Hilton Cordero said.
Her autistic son, Jeremy Marcano, got out of his booster seat, picked up the gun and shot himself in the face, Commander Jose Marrero Rivera told The Associated Press.
Marrero said he did not know where Brenda Lee Cotto had the gun before it fell. Police did not comment on whether the boy’s autism was a factor.
The shooting occurred inside the car as the officer prepared to drop off two of her four children, Marrero said.
Her 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old toddler were in the car, but her 11-year-old son already had gotten out to buy something to eat, police said.
The Department of Education dispatched psychologists to the school to meet with students and employees.