A Philadelphia dad who claimed a home invader killed his 4-year-old son was lying, and is now facing charges in connection with the tot’s death, according to reports.
Edward Williams, 28, was arraigned Friday on counts including involuntary manslaughter after he told investigators his son was shot in the head during a break-in at their North Philly home early Thursday, WCAU reports.
Williams is also facing charges of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice and drug counts. He was ordered held on $2 million bail, the station reports.
Responding cops initially found no signs of forced entry or a struggle inside the Lambert Street home. Williams, who was holding another child at the time, told officers that his 4-year-old son was shot upstairs, police told the station.
The youngster, Edward Williams Jr., found a 9mm gun in a closet and was apparently playing with it when it accidentally discharged, homicide Capt. Jason Smith told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The boy was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Detectives do not believe Williams was with his son when the boy shot himself, although his 3-year-old sibling was, Smith told the newspaper.
It’s unclear why Williams lied to cops, but he was prohibited from having a gun due to his prior criminal history, WCAU reports.
“This is, you know, an extremely tragic accident, really is, but certainly one that could’ve been prevented,” Smith told the station.
Acting Philadelphia Police Commissioner Christine Coulter told CBS Philadelphia on Thursday that investigators were trying to “get a clearer picture” of the fatal shooting.
The 4-year-old boy had lived at the home for about three years and frequently played outside with other children. He also loved playing with Matchbox cars, a neighbor told the Inquirer.
“It’s horrible,” Elsie Rodriguez told the newspaper. “A little boy, 4 years old, dead.”
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