A six-year-old and a twelve-year-old were shot and killed today with guns that they found in their homes.

The six-year-old, Zi Zi Olmstead, was killed at his home in Calhoun, North Carolina, when he found a Taurus 9mm pistol in his mother’s bedroom while she was outside with the dog. Zi Zi’s  mother heard a “pop” and upon returning to the house, found him with a gunshot wound to the head. There is an ongoing investigation.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a 12-year old boy was killed by his 14-year old cousin when they found a gun in the home of another cousin, a 27-year-old security guard.  The boys were reportedly making a video with the gun when the incident occurred.  It is unclear if the gun had a loaded chamber indicator, a magazine safety disconnect or any other safety features that might have helped to prevent the shooting.

Sources:

“Report: 6-year-old Boy Dies of Gunshot Wound in Calhoun,” Calhoun Times (November 6, 2022).

“Officials: 12-year-old Boy Dies After He is Shot by his Cousin in North Philadelphia,” fox29.com (November 5, 2022).