THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

In North Hollywood, California, Valentina Orellana-Peralta, a 14-year old girl who was shopping for a quinceañera dress, was accidentally shot and killed in a department store dressing room when a bullet passed through a wall during a police action at the store. She died at the scene.

Los Angeles police were shooting at an assault suspect at the time of the incident. The suspect also died. “I am profoundly sorry for the loss of this young girl’s life and I know there are no words that can relieve the unimaginable pain for the family,” the Los Angeles Police Chief said in a written statement.

Also today, Quenten Liford of Burkburnett, Texas was shot and killed by another man, Mathew Tenney, who was examining a new gun. Tenney reportedly told a detective that he was looking at a new firearm that a third man had purchased. He said he thought that the gun was unloaded, and he pretended that he drew it from a holster, pulled the trigger, and the weapon discharged, striking Liford in the chest. Tenney has been charged with manslaughter.

And an Atlanta, Georgia five-year old shot himself in the foot after finding a gun in his home. He is expected to survive.

“This incident did not have to occur,” Atlanta police officials said on social media. “We do not understand the rationale behind leaving unsecured loaded guns in the home when children are around. It will never make sense to us. This child could have died. We are all grateful that this little boy will be around to open presents on Christmas day, but we are saddened that we must do yet another post asking people to be responsible, smart, and mindful when dealing with firearms and children.”

Sources:

Alicia Victoria Lozano, “14-year-old Victim Identified Aft er Fatal Shooting by Los Angeles Police,” NBC News (December 24, 2021).

Olivia Taggart, “Burkburne tt Man Charged with Manslaughter After Alleged Accidental Shooting,” Texoma’s Homepage (December 24, 2021).

Caroline Silva, “5-year-old Injured in Accidental Shooting at NE Atlanta Apartments,” The Atlanta Journal Constitution (December 23, 2021).

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From the Archives

SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2023

Two Innocent Bystanders Struck by Stray Bullets and Three Others Hurt in Self-Inflicted, Unintentional Shootings

An altercation in a church parking lot in Puyallup, Washington, led to a woman being shot in a yard across the street. People had left their cars in the lot as they attended an event at the state fairgrounds a few streets away. The innocent woman was hit in the leg and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not identified suspects in the shooting but believe that multiple guns and people were involved as they continue to investigate.

In the Bronx, New York, a woman, 59, suffered from a graze wound to her chest when hit with a stray bullet while sitting on a city bus. The gunfire was the result of one man pursuing another in the street while shooting, firing at a vehicle, but striking the bus instead.

In Manchester, Connecticut a 23-year-old man is in stable condition after being injured when his gun accidentally discharged in a Stop & Shop. Few details have been reported.

A 16-year-old male unintentionally shot himself in Rockford, Illinois and is in the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

And in Beaumont, Texas, a man unintentionally shot himself in the leg while sitting in his vehicle. He told police that the gun accidentally fired. He is being treated at the hospital.

Sources:

Hyperlinks above are to source material.

Shattered – The Gun Accident Journal

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