Reports of Unintended Gun Violence Collected from Media Reports Across the United States
16-year-old Boy Accidentally Shot and Killed A 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at a home in Charleston, Missouri, in what was determined to be an accidental shooting. A 14-year-old boy was arrested, and will likely be charged with manslaughter. Officials continue to investigate. Source: “Teen Dies Following Accidental Shooting; Juvenile Taken Into Custody, Police Say,” wsiltv.com …
Employee Accidentally Kills Himself Handling Friend’s Gun Described in his obituary as a former marine and general manager of a tire store in Mishawaka, Indiana, 29-year-old Curtiss Walker accidentally killed himself after handling a friend’s semi-automatic handgun. Walker was at work in a closed office of the store with two other people, when he accidentally fired the gun, striking himself in …
Three-year-old Shoots Off-duty Deputy Uncle In Spring, Texas, a three-year-old retrieved an unsecured gun from its holster and shot his uncle in the hand. The victim is a deputy with the sheriff’s office, and is stable condition at the hospital. He fell asleep on a couch after placing his duty belt near where the child was …
Two People Accidentally Shoot Themselves Cleaning Guns In his home in Maricopa, Arizona, a man was shot in the thigh by an accidental discharge while he cleaned his gun. He motioned to neighbors that he was okay as he left the home, and was seen holding his thigh as he got into the ambulance. His …
Man Accidentally Shot in Leg In Timmonsville, South Carolina, a man was shot in the leg in what the sheriff said appears to be an accidental shooting. He was walking to find help when a couple picked him up and took him to a nearby store to meet paramedics. An investigation determined that the man was shot …
Woman Shot Trying to Break Up Fight A woman was shot trying to break up a fight between two men in Dayton, Ohio. After the shooting, she left and went to a hospital for treatment. The suspect, Cory Williamson, was found by police at a different hospital and taken into custody. He has been charged …
Gun Cleaning Accident Kills 15-year-old Girl In an apartment in Northwood, Ohio, 15-year-old Symini Moore was shot and killed by 18-year-old Jakob Heintzelman, who told officials he was cleaning his gun when it unintentionally fired. Symini succumbed to her injuries before first responders arrived. Three other people were in the apartment with Symini; Heintzelman, his …
Five People Shot Outside Bus A witness said that a fight started on a bus in Washington, D.C., erupted into gunfire seconds after a group of teenagers were let off. Three adults and two juveniles were shot, sustaining injuries that were not life-threatening. The shooter fled the scene and remains at large. “We don’t believe …
Two Gun Accidents; Four-year-old Killed, Three-year-old Wounded A four-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene after shooting herself in the head with a gun she found inside a home in Lansing, Michigan. Maliki Pendergrass, age 22, faces multiple charges that include firearms safe storage violation resulting in death, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and multiple …
Toddler and Teen Injured After Shooting Themselves A three-year-old boy is expected to recover after shooting himself in the hand with a semi-automatic handgun he found in an apartment in Warren, Michigan. The boy’s mother came with him to the hospital. Police recovered the gun and plan to interview another adult about the circumstances of the …
Two People Dead, Two Wounded, in Unintentional Shootings Today The circumstances of a deadly shooting in Cutler, California that killed 19-year-old Madison Mendoza are under investigation. Mendoza was dropped off at the hospital by 37-year-old Joseph Morales, who was uncooperative with investigators and later arrested. “We do think this was accidental. These two appear to be friends. Their families …
Two Children Shot, Fifth Grader is Killed A fifth-grade student was killed after being accidentally shot in their home in Moberly, Missouri. The school district released a statement noting that it was providing counseling and support to students and staff. “Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all affected by this tragic …
Man Injured After Accidentally Shooting Himself In Makinen, Minnesota, a 67-year-old man living alone, accidentally shot himself in the leg with a .45 caliber pistol. He fetched the gun after being awakened by a noise, but fell back asleep still holding it when if fired. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Source: …
Three Innocent Bystanders Injured in Shooting at Historic Restaurant A shooting at an historic New Orleans, Louisiana restaurant, killed a targeted victim and injured three innocent bystanders. The targeted victim ran into the foyer of the busy restaurant after being chased and shot at on the street. According to the police superintendent, three women waiting for …
Man Accidentally Shot During Card Game A man was critically injured after being accidentally shot during a card game in Indianapolis, Indiana. A 27-year-old woman had taken a gun out of her purse to put it on the table, when it “went off.” She was charged with criminal recklessness and aggravated assault. Source: Ashley Fowler, “1 …
Teen Accidentally Shot and Killed by Cousin In Atlanta, Georgia, Jeremiah Finch, age 14, was pronounced dead at the hospital after being accidentally shot in the back by his cousin. Jaden Young, age 23, told officials that he was holding the gun carelessly when it fired. Young has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct …
Man Accidentally Shot and Killed by Best Friend In Fernandina Beach, Florida, a man was accidentally shot and killed by his 25-year-old best friend Ty William Richardson. Police described Richardson as “distraught” at the scene, and he said “…that he had just killed his best friend.” “He continued by saying they were playing around with ‘them,’ …
Eight-year-old Shoots Himself with Gun Found in Backyard In Columbus, Mississippi, an eight-year-old child accidentally shot himself with a gun he found in the backyard. The boy was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand and leg. No other information was reported. Source: Zac Carlisle, “Child Accidentally Shot Himself in Columbus,” wtva.com (January …
Four-year-old in Critical Condition After Finding Father’s Gun A four-year-old girl in Dyersburg, Tennessee, is in critical condition after she shot herself with an unsecured gun. Details about the circumstances are unclear. The girl’s father told authorities that he left the gun in the living room before going to bed and forgot to secure it, …
Four-year-old Boy Shot and Killed by Two-year-old In a home in Lafayette, Louisiana, a two-year-old child shot and killed four-year-old Blaze Rubin after finding a loaded, unsecured gun. Police are actively investigating the incident, but have determined that 17-year-old Jenarius Johnson was responsible for leaving the loaded gun accessible. He has been charged with negligent homicide …
12-year-old Boy Accidentally Shot and Killed by Older Brother In his home in Canton, Ohio, 12-year-old Thomas J. Lucas, was accidentally shot and killed by his 15-year-old brother, Amir Lucas, with a 9mm handgun. Another child in the home witnessed the shooting and “stated that Amir was showing Thomas something on the firearm and he …
Toddler Shoots Herself With Gun Found in Mother’s Purse A three-year-old girl waiting in a vehicle outside a convenience store in Oma, Mississippi, shot herself in the hand with a gun she found in her mother’s purse. Her mother, who was inside the store when the shooting took place, drove her daughter to the hospital. …
Two-year-old Killed in Accidental Shooting Noah, age 2, the youngest of five siblings, was killed in an accidental shooting near Hayden, Alabama. All of the children were at home with their mother, Evelyn Leyva Etress, when the shooting occurred. Etress told officials she left her two four-year-old girls alone in the master bedroom where loaded guns were accessible to the children. After hearing …
13-year-old Shot Himself in the Foot In Pooler, Georgia, a parent was at home with a 13-year-old boy when he accidentally shot himself in the foot. The parent drove the boy to a fire station for immediate care, and was then taken to the hospital for treatment. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. No other …
One Person Accidentally Shot by Teen In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 22-year-old was accidentally shot by a 17-year-old male mishandling a gun. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested, with charges to be determined. Source: “Milwaukee Teen Arrested After Accidental Shooting Injures 22-year-old,” urbanmilwaukee.com (January 5, 2026)
Four-year-old Injured After Being Shot by Younger Sibling Police determined that a two-year-old “gained access to a firearm and discharged a round striking his 4-year-old sibling in the lower leg,” in Cordova, Maryland. The four-year-old was treated at the scene and then airlifted to the hospital as a precaution. Child protective services was notified, and the sheriff’s office is actively investigating …
Juvenile Accidentally Shot in the Head A child was accidentally shot in the back of the head in a home in New Richmond, Ohio, but was breathing and conscious. Both parents were home at the time and brought the child to the hospital. It is not clear who fired the shot, as an investigation into …
High School Junior Dies in Hunting Accident The sheriff’s office is investigating a hunting accident that led to the death of 17-year-old Aden McKinney in Crofton, Kentucky. He died at the hospital the day after the shooting. Aden was a junior at the local high school. The school dismissed students early on the day of …
One Person Killed, Five People Injured, by Celebratory Gunfire Law enforcement officials across the country issued warnings about the extreme danger and illegality of celebratory gunfire. Despite this, there were numerous reports of innocent people struck by stray bullets and injured or killed. In Memphis, Tennessee, a five-year-old girl was grazed in the leg by a …