Child Injured in Accidental Shooting; Charges Issued for Endangering the Welfare of a Child

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a shooting in the 400 block of Midlothian Road that resulted in critical injuries to a 6-year-old male.

At 2:25 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 400 block of Midlothian Road. Officers located a child suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The child was transported to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges against suspect Arquez Phipps, 19 years of age, of the 400 block of Midlothian Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63136, for Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 1st Degree – Serious Physical Injury. Phipps is being held on a $20,000, cash-only, no 10% bond. A booking photo of Phipps is attached.

The probable cause statement for Phipps reads: “On May 26, 2026, officers are called to a residence in reference to a 6-year-old shooting himself accidentally. Child is transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the face and is currently in critical condition. Police recovered the firearm at the scene. When interviewed, Defendant admitted the firearm was his and that it was hidden in between the mattress and box spring, fully loaded.”

St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are handling this investigation.

Please note that charges are merely an accusation, and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.