HOUSTON – The owner of a body shop was in custody Saturday, a day after a 9-year-old boy accidentally shot himself to death in north Houston.
Police said Milton Almanza was charged with having a firearm accessible to a child.
Police said 9-year-Kenneth Govea’s mother, who needed work done on her car, took him and her young daughter to the Innovations Automotive body shop near the intersection of Irvington and Turner around 2:25 p.m. on Friday.
While the mother was outside talking with shop owner, the Govea and his sister went inside the shop, where the 9-year-old found a small-caliber handgun, according to Sgt. Kevin Deese with HPD.
Police said Govea picked up the gun and accidentally fired a shot, striking himself in the right temple.
"All I know is that my friend called me and he told me that my cousin was working on the car and the two kids went inside and they just heard a gunshot," said Hugo Alcaraz, Almanza’s cousin.
Govea died at the scene. His little sister was unharmed.
"To the best we know right now it appears it was accidental that he accessed the firearm and handled it," Deese said on Friday. "At this point it appears like a tragic accident."
Deese said the mother was transported to the hospital, but she was expected to be fine.
Almanza’s bond was set at $36,000.
