Two More Teenagers Killed in Gun Accidents

For the second day in a row, two teenagers died in preventable gun accidents.

In New Orleans, Louisiana, 15-year-old Tyler Ellis was accidentally shot in his home by another 15-year-old. Less than three weeks ago, Kennedi Belton, a classmate of Ellis’s, was also killed in a preventable gun accident during a sleepover at the home of  a friend.

After Ellis was killed, New Orleans police emphasized the importance of gun locks for all guns stored in the home. “This is a basic cable lock and it’s just strung through the weapon,” said a police Sergeant as she held up a lock. “It keeps the weapon from accidentally going off, getting into the wrong hands as well.”

In Dalhart, Texas, Preston Ralston, another 15-year-old, was accidentally killed under circumstances that have not been reported in light of an ongoing investigation. The deadly incident occurred in a vehicle parked near Ralston’s High School. 

School administrators and local police jointly issued a statement that said, in part, “[a]t no time was there an active shooter situation. At the request of law enforcement for the safety of our faculty and students, DISD went into a lockdown while law enforcement agencies were investigating the situation.”  Preston’s family said “[w]e want everyone to know this was an accident. We want those involved to know, that we know this was an accident.”

Sources:

Mike McDaniel, “NOPD Advocates Stronger Safety Practices in Wake of 15-year-old’s Death,” wwltv.com (February 15, 2023).

“Dalhart Officials Release Student’s Name, More Info on Accidental Shooting,” Amarillo Globe News (February 14, 2023).