One Adult and Three Children Killed After Unintentionally Shooting Themselves

During a gathering of people in Columbia, California, 21-year-old Derek James Matthews, accidentally shot himself in the head and died the next day at the hospital. Deputies interviewed witnesses and retrieved a loaded gun as evidence. Derek attended the local elementary and high school, and lived his whole life in the county. “He was a bright light snuffed out too soon in a tragic accident that left our family brokenhearted and lost. My mother and father are in shock and disbelief over his sudden passing,” wrote his sister on the GoFundMe page set up by relatives.

A 16-year-old in Elmwood, Georgia, died after accidentally shooting himself. According to police, prior to the shooting the boy got into an argument with “a known suspect.” There is an ongoing investigation.

In Memphis, Tennessee, a seven-year-old girl accidentally shot herself, and was pronounced dead at the hospital. More details will be released when the police report is completed.

And a two-year-old in Chapmanville, West Virginia, shot and killed themself. An autopsy will be performed, and so far no one has been charged in this continuing investigation.

Sources:

Hyperlinks above are to source material.