Chicago Police: Father of Slain Boy Got Gun for Protection

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHICAGO — Oct 18, 2015, 1:07 PM ET

Chicago police say a man who was charged with felony child endangerment after his 6-year-old son accidentally shot and killed his 3-year-old brother told investigators that he got the gun illegally from a gang member.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says that 25-year-old Michael Santiago told investigators that he was a former gang member and felt he needed the gun to protect his family.

The shooting occurred Saturday night. Guglielmi says the older boy and his younger brother wanted to play "cops and robbers" when the older boy retrieved the loaded handgun from atop the refrigerator. The older boy shot 3-year-old Eian Santiago in the face.

Santiago is scheduled to appear in bond court on Sunday and Guglielmi says police are trying to trace the gun.