2-year-old shoots self in stomach, father arrested

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - A 2-year-old boy is recovering after police said he shot himself in the stomach Friday night at a home in East Toledo.

The Toledo police arrested Sulieman T. Rahim, 28, in connection with the shooting. He is facing two third-degree felony charges of endangering children and one third-degree felony charge of tampering with evidence, according to court records.

The court complaints state that Rahim was visiting his son around 7:30 p.m. Friday when the toddler found a loaded gun inside Rahim’s backpack.

Police said the child then shot himself in the stomach. He was taken to an area hospital, where police said his condition has since stabilized.

Rahim allegedly hid the gun behind a register vent in a bedroom of the home, according to the complaint.

Officers later found the gun. Police noted that a 13-year-old girl was also inside the home at the time of the shooting.

An update from police Saturday said the child is now stable.

“Our thoughts remain with the child and his loved ones,” a Toledo police spokesperson said.