First person charged under Michigan’s new safe gun storage law gets trial date

FLINT, MI – Michael Tolbert, the first person charged under a new safe gun storage law in Michigan earlier this year, he will be tried in 2025.

Tolbert, 45, faces nine criminal charges in connection with a shooting at his home in the 6000 block of Cloverlawn Drive in Flint. Authorities said Tolbert then His 2-year-old daughter, Skye McBride, grabbed his unsecured firearm and shot herself in the face. on Feb. 14, one day after the safe gun storage law went into effect in Michigan.

McBride, now 3 years old, survived the shooting after being taken to Hurley Medical Center, where she was in critical condition. Medical staff told investigators that the girl would lose her right eye as a result of her injuries.

Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Khary L. Hanible set a trial date for May 7, according to court documents. Lawyers will meet on April 1 for a final pre-trial hearing.

Tolbert faces the following charges: first-degree child abuse, failure to ensure gun is unloaded/locked, lying to a peace officer, possession of a weapon and ammunition as a felon, and four felony firearms charges.

He faces life in prison if convicted. He remains in the Genesee County Jail on bond.

The gun used in the shooting belonged to Tolbert, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said. And evidence inside the home suggested the girl had access to more than one unsecured firearm, police previously said.

The safe storage law requires prosecutors to prove that the defendant stored or left a firearm belonging to him or her unattended and without a locking device when they knew or reasonably should have known that a minor was present.

He then demands that prosecutors prove that, through negligence, the minor obtained the weapon and caused him serious harm.

Michigan gun owners must store their guns safely when minors are present. A person could be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by not more than 93 days in jail, a fine of not more than $500, or both, if a minor obtains the firearm due to improper storage.

The Secure Storage Act was originally sponsored by Michigan Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet, who was recently elected to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District.

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