Criminal charges will not be filed against the parents of Rudy Sweere, a 3-year-old rural Wadena boy who died from an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound in December, according to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office.
On Dec. 29, Otter Tail County dispatchers were notified of the shooting in northwestern Minnesota, and law enforcement, emergency medical services and rescue personnel responded, finding the child with a gunshot wound to his head. The boy was transported to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
According to the sheriff’s office, an investigation into the incident revealed that the residence had childproof safety mechanisms in place, including secured doors and cabinets. The incident occurred in a room where the child was not permitted unsupervised access. However, a door equipped with a childproof mechanism was inadvertently left partially ajar for a brief period, allowing the child to enter. The handgun was stored in a closed drawer.
“After a thorough review of the evidence, the Otter Tail County Attorney’s Office determined there is no reasonable likelihood of a successful prosecution,” the sheriff’s office said. “As such, no charges will be filed.”
Under Minnesota statute, it is a gross misdemeanor to negligently store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where a person knows, or reasonably should know, that a child is likely to gain access to it, unless reasonable steps are taken to secure the firearm.
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