Less than two weeks after 15-year old Bradley Hulett was accidentally shot to death (see entry for December 12, 2019), another Tampa, Florida area teen was shot and killed in a gun accident. 13-year old Steven McQueen was accidentally shot and killed by a sibling.

Comments on the newspaper’s Facebook page include the following:

• Alfred John Zweig wrote: “’Tragic accidents’ do NOT happen with firearms, ever. This is a myth. Ask anyone who’s HAD to carry one. Someone, at some point broke the rules. Simple rules, easily understood rules, the same rules for everyone — or they weren’t taught the rules. In which case they shouldn’t possess a firearm, should they?”

Others responded:

• Christine L Maldonado Hayes wrote: “Regardless of the circumstances, the family does not need judgment from the perfect ‘not my kid, not my family’ Facebook gang! I am sure they have beaten themselves up enough over the past few days with all the ‘what ifs’ and ‘only ifs.’ Now is the time for healing and support. Who are any of us to pass judgment on anyone?!”
• Katie McWherter wrote: “How sad and tragic — an accident his sibling will have to live with forever. God be with the family and bring them peace. RIP young man. So sorry for your loss.”

13-year old Steven was a gunnery sergeant with the Nature Coast young marines, having been a member of that organization for five years.  The circumstances of the accident were not released. 

Sources:

Mike Wright, “Hernando Mother Struggles to Cope with Teenage Son’s Death,” Citrus County Chronicle (December 25, 2019). 

Nancy Kennedy, “1229 Chronicle Week in Review: Tragic Accidents, Bad News for Bus Riders in Homosassa and the Spirit Moves in Crystal River,” Citrus County Chronicle (December 27, 2019).