Two Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania children, a four-year old and a five-year old, were shot and killed in separate gun accidents today.
The four-year old, apparently found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the face. He died at the hospital. “My prayers go out to the family. I feel so bad for them. It’s sad. It’s a tragedy and I just wish everyone well. That’s all you can do right now,” said a neighbor.
The five-year old, Connor Wolfe, was shot and killed by a six-year old sibling. Three children were reportedly left unattended in a room where a loaded gun was present.
“All it really would have taken is to secure the gun, or put a gun lock on, and those individuals might be alive today,” the local public safety director said. “States have safe firearm storage laws, and we know these laws help reduce the incidents of these tragedies. Pennsylvania is not one of these states that have a safe firearm storage law,” a local gun violence prevention advocate added. In addition, laws aimed at gun manufacturers, which would require gun designs that make it less likely that small children could fire a gun, also would reduce the frequency of this type of incident.
Update
Nearly a month later, Connor Wolfe’s 13-year old brother was charged as a juvenile in connection with the incident, when police learned that he had been the one to pull the trigger. “According to police, the teen says he was angry at his little brother and thought the safety was on the gun, pointed it and pulled the trigger to scare his brother.”
Sources:
Chandi Chapman, “Pittsburgh Police: Child Found Shot, Dies at Hospital,” wtae.com (November 22, 2021).
Kylie Walker, “Medical Examiner Identifies 5-year-old Boy Police Say was Shot and Killed by Sibling in Penn Hills,” wtae.com (November 23, 2021).
“‘They’re Going to Live With That:’ 5-year-old Shot, Killed by 6-year-old Sibling at Penn Hills Home” wpxi.com (November 23, 2021).
Bob Mayo, “Teen Charged in Death of 5-year-old Sibling in Penn Hills Shooting,” wtae.com (December 15, 2021).