5-year-old Killed by 6-year-old After They Find Loaded Gun at Grandparents’ House

In Newaygo, Michigan, Braxton Dykstra, a 5-year-old, was shot and killed by a 6-year-old with a loaded gun that the two children found in their grandparents’ bedroom. The 6-year-old was handling the gun when it unintentionally fired. It’s unclear how the children are related.

According to police, adults were present in the home at the time of the incident, but didn’t identify them or indicate if the gun was properly secured. A new safe storage law went into effect in Michigan just this February, that requires gun owners to keep unattended guns unloaded and locked up if it is likely that a minor will be on the premises. “Children get curious and a lot of times, they don’t understand,” said a police spokesman. Police continue to investigate and will send their findings to the prosecutor’s office for review.

UPDATE:

According to a later unconfirmed report, two people will be charged. “As of right now, it only sounds like grandpa and grandma are gonna get [charged],” said Domynic Dykstra, the boy’s father.

Domynic says the charges are not enough and feels like the others should be held responsible, too. He also hopes to get more safe storage laws passed in the future, honoring his son’s legacy, and to get his license to teach youth about gun safety. 

“It’s obviously a parent’s worst nightmare,” he said. “I’m hoping that we can actually get justice for my son.”

Another man told reporters at the scene of the incident that the gun was never left loaded, but that there was ammunition stored throughout the house and that the gun was left in the corner of a room there.

Source:

Zac Harmon, “MSP: 6-year-old Boy Handling Gun When 5-year-old Shot & Killed,” fox17online.com (April 3, 2024).

“Father: Charges Coming After 5-year-old Shot, Killed by Found Gun,” 13 On Your Side (April 26, 2024).