A four-year old and a three-year old apparently found guns and shot themselves to death today.

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, a four-year old found a gun in the family car and shot himself in the head.  He died at the scene.  At the time of the incident, which occurred in a parking lot, the boy’s father had gone into a store, but the boy’s mother and a younger sibling were in the car. 

The boy’s parents, Ashlynne and Carlos Perez, have been arrested and booked into the El Paso County Jail and charged with “criminally negligent child abuse resulting in death.”

“This is a tragic investigation that not only affects the family of the victim, but it affects our community and our first responders. We want to remind the community to be sure to talk to your children about guns, even if you do not own guns. If you own guns, gun safety must be taught to all those that are near the gun, the gun must be stored unloaded and locked up. All keys to the locks should be hidden. Our deepest condolences go to the family affected by this tragedy,” said El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Although details are scarce, a Halifax, Virginia three-year old apparently found a gun inside his home in the early morning hours today and shot and killed himself.  “The toddler’s remains are reportedly being brought to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Roanoke for examination and autopsy.”  Three adults and another child were home at the time.

Sources:

Benjamin Lloyd, Mayo Davison, “Couple Arrested after Child found dead outside Maggie’s Farm,” TheDenverChannel.com (July 7, 2021).

Colleen Guerry, “3-year-old Boy Dead After Early Morning Shooting in Halifax, State Police Say,” WFXR.com (July 7, 2021).