Police officers were able to save the life of a child after quick thinking following an incident that saw a child shot.
Police officers from the Volusia Sheriff's Office have been praised and commended for saving the life of a five-year-old girl.
In a press release shared on its Facebook page, the Sheriff’s Office explained that police went to a home on Boxelder Street in Deltona, Florida, on Saturday afternoon (December 16) being made aware a child had been shot.
A five-year-old at the property had gained access to a shotgun that was found underneath a family member's bed and accidentally shot themselves in the leg.
When police arrived, they found the child conscious and alert, but bleeding from her injury.
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The Volusia Sheriff’s Office shared the body camera footage of the responding officers, but due to privacy reasons and the graphic nature of the incident, much of it has been blurred.
However, the officers can be heard comforting the child and talking them through the incident as they attempt emergency first-aid.
“Deputies Maletto, Kagle, Williams, Estrada and Rodriguez worked quickly to administer aid, apply a tourniquet and carry the child out to Deltona Fire Rescue,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
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“She was transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital, where medical staff later reported that the rapid response and tourniquet application likely saved her life.
“Sheriff Mike Chitwood commended the incredible, quick, compassionate work of all involved and will be awarding medals for their life-saving actions.”
Sharing the video on X, Chitwood also commented: “The hair on the back of my neck stood up listening to these deputies render aid to this 5-year-old girl.
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"What an outstanding example of decisive action and compassion by all involved. THANK YOU for once again making me so proud to be a part of [Volusia Sheriff's Department].”
Many social media users also insisted gun owners should take special care to ensure that children do not have access to firearms.
“Sounds like she’s going to be OK thanks to the first responders. Lock up your firearms, folks,” one user said.
No arrests have yet been made and police are currently investigating the incident and are intending to forward the findings of their investigation to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
Gerrard Kaonga