Two Young Children Find Loaded Guns: One Kills Themself, The Other Accidentally Shoots an Adult

An investigation is ongoing after a 3-year-old in Trenton, New Jersey found a gun and shot and killed themself. Trenton’s Mayor said, “[t]his horrific act calls to mind the senselessness of gun deaths and innocent children in harm’s way. The city grieves for the family’s loss, and we ask you to keep them in your prayers.” The firearm was recovered but few other details have been reported.

And another young child, this time in Dothan, Alabama, found a loaded handgun and accidentally shot a woman in the shoulder while playing with it. In a statement from the Dothan Police Department, “[w]e would remind everyone that if you choose to be a gun owner, do so responsibly and make sure all weapons, loaded or not, are kept in a secure, locked area.”

Sources:

Hayden Mitman, “3-year-old Dies after Being Shot in Trenton Home,” nbcphiladelphia.com (June 14, 2023).

“Trenton 3-year-old Dies From Gunshot Police Believe to Be Accidental, Self-inflicted,” kyw NewsRadio (June 14, 2023).

Richard Everett, “Child Shoots Dothan Woman by Accident, DPD,” wdhn.com (June 15, 2023).