Three children under age 10 shot themselves today.

In Chicago, Illinois, three boys left home alone while their father was picking up their mother from the hospital found a loaded gun.  One of the boys, a five-year old, accidentally shot his nine-year old brother in the head.  The boy, Ashton Lipscomb, died at the hospital.  Their 13-year old brother led police to two other guns present in the house. 

In later developments, police learned that it was the 13-year old who had accidentally killed his brother. The boys’ father, Adrien Lipscomb was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment.

In two other incidents, young children were injured by shots fired from found guns.  In Hoover, Alabama, a seven-year old girl shot herself in the hand while playing with her father’s gun.  Her father is cooperating with police. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a two-year old shot himself and suffered “non-life threatening injuries.”  His mother was taken into custody.

Sources:

Rob Sneed, “5-year-old Boy Accidentally Shoots, Kills 9-year-old Brother in Austin Neighborhood: Report,” WGN9 (October 8, 2020).

David Struett, “Dad Charged after 13-year-old Son Allegedly Admits to Fatally Shooting Brother on West Side,” Chicago Sun Times (October 28, 2020).

Carol Robinson, “Girl, 7, Injured While Handling Dad’s Gun in Hoover,” AL.com (October 7, 2020).

Elliot Hughes, “2-year-old Expected to Live after Accidentally Shooting Himself,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (October 8, 2020).