In a tragic accident, an 11-year-old boy lost his right eye after being accidentally shot with a pellet gun at a private shooting range in the Ciro Redondo municipality of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. The incident took place on Sunday, March 9th, when the young boy, Yoinel López, ventured out to play with friends near his home. Without his mother's permission, he made his way to the local shooting range, as reported by journalist Yosmany Mayeta on social media.
Just as Yoinel's mother was preparing to find him, the owners of the shooting range arrived with Yoinel, who was injured. According to the shooting range owners, a 15-year-old teenager accidentally fired the pellet gun, hitting Yoinel in the right eye.
A relative, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that despite the presence of young children, the shooting range owners allowed access to the area. It was also revealed that the owner's wife admitted to leaving the children unsupervised momentarily, during which the unfortunate incident occurred.
Following the accident, Yoinel's parents rushed him to the local hospital. Due to the severity of his injury, he was quickly transferred to the Pediatric Hospital in Sancti Spíritus. There, doctors operated to remove the pellet lodged in his eye but were unable to save his vision, resulting in the complete removal of the eye, as reported by Mayeta.
The family has stated they do not wish for the teenager responsible for the shooting to face incarceration. However, they demand legal accountability from the shooting range owners for allowing minors access to such a dangerous area. Additionally, they are seeking lifelong compensation for the harm caused to Yoinel.
The police have detained the 15-year-old involved in the shooting. He remains in a specialized juvenile unit under investigation. The teenager reportedly aimed at a cat when Yoinel inadvertently crossed his line of sight, and witnesses note that he is deeply traumatized by the event.
Yoinel, who is enrolled at "Mártires del Moncada" school and has a congenital heart defect (Atrial Septal Defect, ASD), is currently stable. He is set to receive an ocular implant at the Hospital of Santa Clara in the coming weeks.
In recent months, numerous domestic accidents and unforeseen situations have endangered the lives of children in Cuba, necessitating urgent medical interventions and hospitalizations. One notable case occurred in April 2024, when a two-year-old boy in Ciego de Ávila was saved after inhaling a foreign object, requiring immediate medical attention.
Similarly, in March of the same year, an infant in Santiago de Cuba underwent emergency surgery after swallowing a pin that lodged in his throat, fortunately resulting in a stable recovery. These incidents, along with other severe accidents on the island, highlight the necessity for increased vigilance both at home and in public spaces to prevent life-threatening accidents involving children.
The Need for Increased Child Safety Measures in Cuba
What led to the shooting incident involving Yoinel López?
Yoinel López was accidentally shot by a 15-year-old at a private shooting range after the teenager aimed at a cat and Yoinel crossed his line of sight.
How have Yoinel's family responded to the incident?
The family does not wish for legal action against the teenager but demands accountability from the shooting range owners and seeks lifelong compensation for the injury.
What medical care has Yoinel received following the incident?
Yoinel underwent surgery to remove the pellet from his eye but lost vision in that eye. He will receive an ocular implant at a hospital in Santa Clara.