Police Locate Wanted Murder Suspect in Illinois After Indiana 3-Year-Old Boy Shoots Him, Authorities Say

A toddler in Indiana helped police locate a man wanted on a murder warrant, authorities said.

According to police in Lafayette, the boy recently was involved in the shooting at an apartment complex on May 18.

“A 3-year-old child at that location accessed a gun and fired one round striking two people,” Lt. Justin Hartman with the Lafayette Police Department told USA TODAY in an email. "Neither injury was life threatening."

The shooting victims were identified as the boy’s 21-year-old mother, Jalynn Artis, as well as the woman’s friend, Trayshaun Smith, the publication reported.

Hartman said Smith was arrested on the warrant issued in Cook County, Illinois, after he and the child’s mother went to Franciscan Health Lafayette East hospital around 8:30 p.m.