Father sentenced for endangering son with gun access

A father in Minnesota has been sentenced to 30 months in custody after his 6-year-old son was shot in June 2024. Raymond Tony Duque, 42, agreed to a higher sentence of 30 months after pleading guilty to child endangerment. He will also spend 15 months on supervised release. Duque expressed remorse in court, saying he did not want anyone to experience what his family went through. The shooting occurred when the boy was inside Duque's unlocked vehicle with other children and found a loaded shotgun. The child suffered severe injuries, including the loss of a thumb. Duque and the boy's mother, Nicole McGee, were both charged with multiple counts related to the firearm. Duque also faced charges for illegal possession of a gun due to a past felony conviction. In court, Wabasha County Attorney Matthew Stinson argued that the sentence should reflect the serious harm caused to the boy. Duque accepted responsibility for the situation and expressed his intention to serve his time. McGee is scheduled to face sentencing on April 22.