School Responds After Seven-year-old Cleveland Boy Finds a Gun and Shoots and Kills Himself
Demetrius Dunlap of Cleveland, Ohio, age 7, found a gun in his home and accidentally shot and killed himself. “It looks like the juvenile was sitting on the couch. The gun is sitting on the couch. Somebody had dropped the mag out of it already,” said a first responder.
The school district said, “[as we struggle to comprehend this heartbreaking loss to our school community, we are committed to helping students who will understandably be saddened or confused by the sudden death of one of their peers. Grief counselors will be available at our school on Monday and throughout the coming week to assist students and staff that need emotional support.”
Officials added, parents are encouraged to listen to their child, discuss with them any feelings they may have and to look for these signs of stress:
- Fearfulness and worries
- Increased aggression or acting out
- Thoughts about death or dying
- Isolation
- Inability to concentrate
- Withdrawing from normal activities and friends
- Sleep difficulties (i.e., nightmares, trouble falling asleep, and sleeping too much)
- Changes in appetite
- Absentmindedness
- Irritability
The district also urges parents to keep weapons locked and away from children in their homes.
Sources:
Julia Bingel, Winnie Dortch, “Boy, 7, Dies After Accidentally Shooting Himself, Police Say,” kalb.com (March 14, 2023).
Cris Belle, “7-year-old in Fatal Shooting Identified; School Responds,” fox8.com (March 13, 2023).