Eight-year-old Accidentally Shot in Neck

An eight-year-old girl is expected to survive, after she was accidentally shot in the neck in a home in Gainesville, Florida. The gun belonged to the homeowner who was out of town. A family member who was house-sitting, brought the victim and another child to the home. The children found an unsecured gun in an upstairs bedroom. 

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office explained why no charges will be filed. “After looking at all the circumstances in this incident it was established that a crime did not occur at the time and that is because the person who left and was out of town and who owns the residence does not have children and the person who they entrusted in the home’s care while they were gone was not aware that a firearm was in the home.” But they also said the shooting was a reminder about the importance of locking up firearms when other people enter your home.

Source:

Ryan Wyatt Turbeville, “8-year-old Shot in an Accidental Shooting, Deputies Determine No Crime Occurred,” wcjb.com (March 13, 2026).