Toddler and Teen are Killed, and Police Officer Wounded in Unintentional Shootings

In Greenville, North Carolina, Kayden Swinnely, 3, shot and killed himself after he found a loaded, unsecured gun inside his apartment. A 13-year-old had unlocked the gun safe and left the firearm where Kayden was able to access it. The two children were at home with Kayden’s aunt and mother. Police are not expected to file charges at this time.

Austin Johnson, an 18-year-old university freshman, was shot and killed in a car while in the drive-thru line at a fast food restaurant in Ruston, Louisiana. Johnson was in the car with his girlfriend and 19-year-old Matthew Embry. Johnson and Embry were playing with toy guns when Embry picked up a real gun that he thought was unloaded, and unintentionally shot Johnson in the chest. He has been charged with negligent homicide.

A police officer in Las Vegas, Nevada, was injured when he accidentally shot himself pursuing a suicidal person. The officer chased down the man who was running into traffic, and during the struggle to apprehend him, his gun went off. The man was taken into custody, but it is unclear if he will face charges.

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