Funeral services held Friday for 3-year-old victim of accidental shooting

By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

RESERVE — A LaPlace family buried their three-year-old son Friday after he was killed Monday night by a handgun the boy found under the bed. He shot himself in the forehead with a .40-caliber Glock, according to the stricken father.

Maj. Mike Tregre, spokesman for the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office said, Christian Newman, son of Ronald Newman, a corrections officer with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Holly Newman, was inquisitive, just like any other child his age.

&#8220We received a call just after 10 p.m. on Monday from 417 Reg’s Trailer Park in Reserve,” Tregre said. &#8220Upon arrival, Christian was found with a gunshot wound to the forehead.”

Tregre said Christian was rushed to River Parishes Hospital, then airlifted to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, where he was pronounced dead just after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning.

&#8220The parents are separated, and this was his weekend to have the kids,” Tregre said. &#8220It was reported that the father just gave Christian a bath, and laid him on the bed. While he was on the bed, the father gave Bryson, the 5-year-old brother, his bath, during which he heard a gunshot.”

Tregre said the father rushed to see what happened, then called 911 immediately.

&#8220There was a handgun underneath the bed,” Tregre said. &#8220At some point, a child becomes curious or inquisitive. During the time period the father was giving the other child a bath, the 3-year-old got down from the bed, and found the gun underneath it.”

Tregre said they have physical evidence that the gun was discharged by the child. Investigation is continuing on the case, and no charges have been filed.

&#8220He was a spunky little boy,” said Charles &#8220Chinee” Madere, Christian’s grandfather. &#8220He was a tough little runt.”

Christian’s grandmother Roxanne Madere said they called Christian &#8220Cookie.” Christian is also survived by his other grandparents Stephen and Janice Fraisse.

Donations are being accepted at Sam’s Club stores in Metairie and Harvey. A fund to help offset funeral expenses at Regions Bank is also in place in the Christian Newman Fund account.

Ronald said he wanted to thank all his co-workers at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona, who donated $1, 500 to the fund.

Services were held Friday in the Millet-Guidry Funeral Home Chapel in LaPlace, with interment in St. John Memorial Gardens