Three children were accidentally shot in their own homes yesterday. Each incident involved a handgun apparently left unsecured.
Two 12-year old boys in Springfield, Oregon, who were off from school due to the coronavirus on Tuesday morning, found a gun belonging to a family member and were playing with it when it went off. One of the boys was shot in the “lower extremities.” He called 911 and was taken to a hospital, where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries. No adults were home at the time. Authorities are investigating to determine whether the gun was properly stored.
A 3-year old child was shot in Lexington Kentucky. It is not clear yet whether the toddler shot himself or was shot by another child in the home. The child is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. This is the second accidental shooting involving a Kentucky 3-year old in just three days. An investigation is ongoing.
In Palermo, California, a 7-year old boy shot his 10-year old brother. The injured boy was flown to UC Davis medical center with a wound to the hip. The police are interviewing family members to learn who owned the gun and why it was not secured. Palermo schools are closed to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Sources:
Chelsea Deffenbacher, “Springfield Boy, 12, Shot with Handgun by Another Boy, Police Say,” The Register Guard (March 17, 2020).
“Toddler in Hospital with Life-threatening Injuries after Being Shot,” Lex 18 (March 17, 2020).
Mitchel Bobo, “10-year-old Flown to UC Davis Medical Center after Accidental Shooting, Deputies Say,” The Sacramento Bee (March 17, 2020).