Five-year-old Kills Self with Father’s Gun; Two Other Children Injured in Gun Accidents

In Santaquin, Utah, five-year-old Brooks Wilson was in his parent’s bedroom when he fatally shot himself after finding his father’s unsecured, loaded 9mm handgun. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His parents were in the home at the time of shooting. The family started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs, and his family released a statement. “Our hearts are shattered…This heartbreaking incident has taught us difficult lessons, and we deeply regret that it unfolded this way.” 

Utah does not require secure storage of firearms or have Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws. Police called the incident a tragic accident, and no charges are expected to be filed.

In Fosston, Minnesota, an eight-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital after he was shot in the leg by an 11-year-old.His injuries appear to be non-life-threatening. A .22 caliber handgun was recovered, and the sheriff’s office will continue to investigate.

Also, an eight-year-old girl in Charlotte, North Carolina, was accidentally shot inside an apartment. She was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK. Investigators believe that the bullet went through a wall from a discharge inside the same unit. There were two adults and three children in the apartment at the time, but it is unclear who was handling the gun when it fired. Police continue to investigate, and are still considering filing charges.

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