Chicago Man Charged After Toddler Shot During Alleged Gun and Drill Mix-Up

A Chicago man has been arrested and charged with reckless discharge of a firearm after allegedly shooting an 18-month-old girl in the head on Saturday. Davaris Washington, 38, was taken into custody following the incident at an apartment in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

Police responded to the shooting shortly after midnight. The infant was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was transported to Comer Children's Hospital, where she remains in critical condition, intubated and on life support as of Monday.

During a pretrial hearing, prosecutors stated that Washington was holding both a handgun and a cordless drill when the shooting occurred. According to a proffer from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Washington and the baby's mother arrived at his apartment around 11:50 p.m. The child reportedly became fussy after being woken up upon entering the residence. The mother placed the infant in a car seat on the living room floor.

Prosecutors allege that Washington picked up a Glock 21 handgun in his left hand and a cordless drill in his right hand. He then approached the couch where the mother was sitting. According to investigators, he intended to rev the drill to see if its noise would disturb the sleeping baby. "Rather than pulling the trigger on the drill in his right hand, [Washington] pulled the trigger of the firearm in his left hand," the prosecution stated.

The Glock 21 was reportedly equipped with a switch that allows for multiple rounds to be fired with a single trigger pull. The firearm discharged three rounds, according to investigators. Bullet holes were found in the arm of the couch, and two bullet holes were discovered in the car seat, one at the top and another through the side. A fourth bullet also went through a couch armrest.

Doctors believe the injuries to the toddler, a gunshot wound to the back of the head and two bullet holes at ear level, likely represent an entry and exit wound, as imaging revealed no projectiles in her body.

The mother told police she heard a loud noise followed by the baby crying. Upon picking up her daughter, she realized the child was bleeding from the back of her head.

Washington initially called 911 and told dispatchers that an unknown assailant had shot the victim through the front window. However, police found no damage to the front windows or shades of the apartment, and Washington was detained at the scene.

Investigators determined that Washington allegedly gave the handgun to a neighbor, who subsequently hid the weapon in a laundry basket before authorities were informed of its location. A judge ordered Washington to be held without bail at Monday's hearing. His next court date is scheduled for October 2.