A suspect was arrested Tuesday night (July 12) in connection with the shooting of 2-year-old boy outside the Costco on South Carrollton Avenue.
Zyaire A. Cornelius, 18, is being held at the Orleans Justice Center on one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.
Cornelius is the victim’s brother, police said. He is accused of leaving a loaded gun in the backseat with the toddler. He remained jailed Friday (July 15) on $70,000.
The boy, initially identified by police as a 1-year-old, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg at around 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday while in a car at the Costco station in the 3900 block of Dublin Street.
Responding officers rendered aid and transported the boy to the hospital. As of Wednesday afternoon, the boy was listed in stable condition.
Cornelius and unnamed woman were detained for questioning in the incident. Additionally, a search of the car revealed two firearms, one of which had been reported stolen.
Anyone with additional information that can aid this investigation is urged to contact NOPD’s Child Abuse Unit at 504-658-5267.
This report was updated on July 15.