The shooting was reported Friday evening at Willowood Apartment Complex on Vine Street.
EASTLAKE, Ohio — Eastlake police are investigating after a 3-year-old boy died from a gunshot wound suffered Friday evening at an apartment complex on Vine Street, officials said.
Police said officers responded at about 7:18 p.m. after the child was brought to UH Lake West Medical Center in Willoughby with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Investigators later traced the shooting scene to the Willowood Apartment Complex in Eastlake.
The boy had emergency surgery and was stabilized before being flown to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland. Police said he died from his injuries after the transfer. Officials had not released the child’s name or a detailed account of what led to the shooting.
Investigators remained at work through the weekend, processing the apartment complex scene and interviewing people. Police did not immediately report whether the shooting was accidental, whether a suspect had been identified or whether a firearm had been recovered.
The fatal shooting is now a police investigation centered on evidence from the Vine Street complex, medical records from the child’s treatment and statements from people who may have been nearby Friday evening.
As of Sunday, May 17, Eastlake police had not announced charges. The next public update is expected to clarify the timeline, the handling of the firearm and whether the case will be sent to prosecutors.
Author note: Last updated May 17, 2026.