Unintentional Shootings Leave Three Children Dead and One Wounded

In Mountain Village, Alaska, a young child was killed when another child they were playing with picked up a loaded rifle that was in the home, and unintentionally shot them. The children were playing with nerf guns before the deadly shooting occurred. State troopers were notified; a spokesperson wouldn’t say who owned the rifle, and details about the children are not being released “due to the size of the community that this tragic event occurred and our requirement to protect juvenile information.” An autopsy will be performed and the investigation is ongoing.

Lathan Sweatt, 10, was accidentally shot and killed by his 14-year-old stepbrother in Nashville, Tennessee. Lathan, his stepbrother, and his 12-year old brother were playing games on the computer in an upstairs room. Police believe that the 14-year-old was handling a loaded, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, that had been stored in the top of a closet, when it fired, striking Lathan in the head. He died shortly after he arrived at the hospital.

In Prattville, Alabama, a 7-year-old boy found a loaded handgun, and shot and killed himself. The police chief said the investigation will continue. “We present all deaths of children to the grand jury. During the investigation we will be looking to find out whose gun it was and how the child got access to it.”

And in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 7-year-old boy is expected to survive after being shot by an 11-year-old boy. The 11-year-old and a 33-year-old woman were charged in the shooting. “Two children located an unsecured firearm when the suspect discharged it and unintentionally struck the victim,” according to a news release from police.

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