Eight-year-olds Killed In Gun Accidents

In Akron, Ohio, eight-year-old D’Angelo Darrel Alcorn unintentionally shot and killed himself. He was at home with his mother when he gained access to the loaded gun, and was taken to the hospital where he later died. Police recovered the gun, and there is an ongoing investigation.

At a community vigil for D’Angelo there was an outpouring of love and support. A paraprofessional at his school said he was always smiling and often dancing, and was never angry or in trouble. She recalled his recent crush on a girl at school. “He wanted to get her flowers because he always saw his dad get his mom flowers.”

And an eight-year-old, second grader was killed when her 12-year-old brother accidentally shot her in the back in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. The brother took a Sig Sauer .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun from its case in a dresser drawer. He told police that he partially opened the case and started playing with the gun when it fired. Police recovered the gun, a spent projectile, a magazine with two rounds, and a gun case in the dresser drawer that was secured with a gun lock.

Sources:

Bryce Buyakie, “‘Full of Life’: Akron Community Honors D’Angelo Alcorn, Boy Who Accidentally Shot Himself,”beaconjournal.com (December 12, 2024).

Ed Lewis, “Fatal Shooting of Girl an Accident by Sibling Playing with a Handgun, According to Search Warrant,”timesleader.com (December 10, 2024).