Clinton Twp. police ID boy in fatal shooting

Police Wednesday identified the 3-year-old boy who fatally shot himself and said they have arrested the gun’s owner.

Officials said Cameron Dillard died of a wound he sustained Tuesday while holding a handgun he found on the ground at the Newport Arms Apartment Complex in Clinton Township.

Investigators have determined the gun fell out of the pocket of a 29-year-old Mount Clemens man, police said.

The suspect, who was on parole for a weapons charge, was arrested on Detroit’s west side at about 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to authorities. He is currently being held at the Clinton Township Police Department.

Officials said they plan to present the findings of their investigation Thursday to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, which will determine if any criminal charges will be filed against the suspect.

Police said it appears Cameron found the gun outside of the apartment complex, located on the south side of Joy Boulevard and east of Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township, at about 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Cameron was playing with a group of children with his mother nearby, officials said. The mother heard a shot as the child fell, police said.

Cameron’s parents drove him to McLaren Macomb Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

Witnesses told officers they saw the gun on the ground, but that it later went missing.

cramirez@detroitnews.com