WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

Two children under the age of five were involved in fatal gun accidents today. Details are scarce.

In Adams Township, Ohio, a four year-old died at the hospital after being shot in the chest. The local Sheriff’s office confirmed that the shooting was an accident. It is not clear who fired the gun and no other details have been reported.

In Memphis, Tennessee, a man has been charged with reckless homicide after he left a loaded gun in the back seat of a car between himself and a three year old girl. She picked up the gun and shot the driver in the head. The man charged was later heard on surveillance video apologizing for his role in the victim’s death.

Sources:

“Police: Child Accidentally Shot in Seneca County,” TiffinOhio.net (October 14, 2020).

“Man Charged with Reckless Homicide after Police Say Child Picked up his Gun,” WREG News3 (October 15, 2020).

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From the Archives

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2021

Three children shot and killed themselves today with loaded guns they found in their homes. In each case, few details were reported.

In Smithfield, Utah, a five-old and his family returned from a camping trip on Tuesday night and left their camping gear in a downstairs room. The boy came downstairs early on Tuesday morning and found the gun among the family’s gear. He used it to shoot himself in the head and died at the hospital. The local police chief reminded other gun owners: “Always unloaded, always secured. We can’t preach that enough. I understand that you’re coming home from a long weekend and you think it is fine to keep stuff there because nobody is going to touch it, but you never know. Especially with firearms, it is particularly important that you make sure that you secure those things.”

A child of unspecified age and gender killed themselves in Independence, Missouri with a firearm that was left unsecured in their home. The local prosecutor said in a Twitter statement only that “a child’s life ended.” No other details were reported. There is an ongoing investigation.

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a two-year old boy was accidentally shot and killed. Police said that two children found a loaded gun in their home when it went off and the two-year old was struck. According to the report, the boy was at least the third child shot in Milwaukee this week. "The Milwaukee Police Department reminds the public to keep firearms in a secure area and out of the reach of children," police said in a statement. The police department provides free gun locks to city residents, no questions asked.

Sources:

Will Feelright, “5-year-old Boy Dies in Accidental Shooting at Smithfield Home,” Cache Valley Daily (August 2, 2021).

Bill Lukitsch, “Independence Police Investigate D eath of a Child Found Fatally Shot Sunday,” Kansas City Star (August 2, 2021).

Sophie Carson, “2-year-old Boy Suffers Fatal Gunshot Wound Sunday Afternoon on South 9th Street in Apparent Accident,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (August 2, 2021).

Shattered – The Gun Accident Journal

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