Three Children Killed in Accidental Shootings, Including Toddler Who Found Gun in Drawer

In Hopkins, South Carolina, 15-year-old Jayen Gladden was shot and killed by his 14-year-old friend who was cleaning a handgun that accidentally discharged. The 14-year-old has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a weapon by a minor. “It’s sad as a coroner to have to zip up a young person in a body bag,” said the county coroner.

In an apartment in Dayton, Ohio, 16-year-old Tyron Smith, was shot and killed when he and three other juveniles were passing a gun around that unintentionally fired. Smith had brought the semi-automatic handgun with him, and the group was taking photos and videos with it for social media when the accident occurred. A 15-year-old girl was taken into custody for the shooting. The girl’s mother and Smith’s mother have been best friends for 20 years; Smith’s mother is the girl’s godmother.

Also, two-year-old Armani Turnipseed, found an unsecured gun in a drawer in a home in Starkville, Mississippi, and fatally shot himself. Nigel Cheatham, age 24, was charged with child deprivation of necessities with substantial harm. 

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