At least three children were accidentally shot and injured today. They were aged 14, 15, and 7. The incidents occurred in states that have been regular sites of gun accidents involving children: Florida, Ohio and North Carolina.
The most fully reported of the accidents was in Jacksonville, Florida. Ayva Guthrie, age 14,was accidentally shot by her mother. In a court hearing, prosecutors stated that Ayva had died, but later confirmed that she remains on life support. Ayva’s family is devastated and asking for “a miracle.”
Investigators said that the gun was not properly stored. Ayva was apparently handing it to her mother when it fired. Ayva’s mother, Amanda Guthrie, is charged with aggravated manslaughter on a minor by culpable negligence, child neglect, and armed possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana.
Ayva is reportedly a straight-A student at Sandalwood High School, where she plays basketball. She was described as a friendly, sweet girl.
A Jackson police representative issued the following statement: “We would ask that all firearms be safely stored and kept out of access from children and those not familiar with their use. We would remind citizens to treat all firearms as if they were loaded, never pointing them at others and never playing with them. And remember that, negligence with firearm storage has the potential to have deadly consequences for a child and criminal charges for adults in the home.”
The other two incidents were less comprehensively reported.
In Millvale, Ohio, a 15-year old teenager is expected to recover after being accidentally shot by a 9-year old sibling while they were playing with a gun. A babysitter was home with them at the time of the incident. It is unclear how they found the gun.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a 7-year old was hospitalized after being struck by a round that was fired outside his home. “These bullets land somewhere and this time hit a 7-year-old child,” police said.
Sources:
Vic Micolucci, “14-year-old Girl Shot in Head Remains in Critical Condition; Mother Charged,” News4Jax (January 20, 2021).
“15-year-old Accidentally Shot by 9-year-old Sibling in Millvale,” Local 12 (January 19, 2021).
Meilin Tomkins, “7-year-old Struck by Stray Bullet in Charlotte Shooting,” WCNC Charlotte (January 20, 2020).