Two Children Wounded After Finding Guns Left Unsecured

In Toledo, Ohio, a 13-year-old boy had a gun in his pants pocket that fired when a 12-year-old boy tried to remove it. The 13-year-old was injured, and went to the hospital for treatment. The boys were left unsupervised in the home of 27-year-old Jocelyn M. Benton, where they found Benton’s loaded gun stored in an orange shoebox. Benton has been charged with endangering children, and the 12-year-old was charged with felonious assault.

Also, in Alvin, Texas, a seven-year-old found his older brother’s loaded gun sitting on a mantle, and shot himself in the head. He only suffered a graze wound, and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Apparently the older brother left the gun on the mantle after cleaning it. Detectives are continuing to investigate.

Sources:

“12-year-old Charged in Toledo Shooting That Wounded Teen; Gun Owner Arrested,” toledoblade.com (January 30, 2025). 

“Child Suffers Head Injury After Finding Gun Left on Mantle by Older Brother, BCSO says,” abc13.com (January 30, 2025).