A Ripley, Tennessee three-year old found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the head. He was found dead at the scene.  No arrests have been made, but there is an ongoing investigation.

Also today, the father of a Dolton, Illinois three-year old who accidentally shot and killed his mother was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor gun violation.  The boy found his father’s gun in the car after being strapped into his car seat. He fired through the seat.  His mother, Deejah Bennett, was struck in the back and killed.

The boy’s father owned the gun legally, but is charged with transporting it in an unlawful manner.  “We’re trying to get trauma counseling for [the child] and his family because he’s going to need it the rest of his life,” an official said. “That life changed within a second.”

Sources:

Hannah Wallsmith, “Toddler Shot and Killed in Lauderdale Co. TBI Investigating,” Action News 5 (March 15, 2022).

David Struett, “Father Faces Gun Charge After 3-year-old Accidentally Shoots and Kills Mother in Dolton,”  Chicago Sun-Times (March 14, 2022).