Reports of Unintended Gun Violence Collected from Media Reports Across the United States
Four-year-old Killed by Sibling Handling Mother’s Gun One of four siblings left alone in a St. Louis, Missouri home, was handling their mother’s gun, when they shot and killed four-year-old Harley Hosein. Harley was a twin, but police didn’t say if her twin fired the gun, or if one of the other children, a nine-year-old and …
Son Accidentally Shoots Father; Man Struck by Stray Bullet on Night Before 82nd Birthday In Hamden, Connecticut, 25-year-old Aaron Gambrell was having a mental health episode when he accidentally shot his father in the abdomen. His father was taken to the hospital in stable, but critical condition. Gambrell has been charged with assault and reckless …
One Person Dead, Two Critically Injured in Gun Accidents In Mooresville, North Carolina, Jody Allen Leazer, 55, was fatally shot in the arm when he and another man were moving a gun into a car. They were cleaning out a home, and as they were putting the gun into the car, it unintentionally discharged. Leazer …
Two Teens Injured in Unintentional Shootings A 16-year-old boy in a home in St. Louis, Missouri, was injured after unintentionally shooting himself in the leg while mishandling a gun. He is in stable condition at the hospital as police continue to investigate. And a 14-year-old girl in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, was accidentally shot in the …
One Person Dead, Two Wounded, in Gun Accidents Today According to witnesses inside a home in St. Louis, Missouri, 15-year-old Dalton Escobar-Piatcheck was trying to load a gun when it unintentionally went off striking him in the head. He was seriously injured and died later at the hospital. In the restroom of a Brunswick, Georgia …
One Dead, Two Injured in Accidental Shootings; Coach Fired After Dropped Gun Fires During Youth Basketball Game In Shreveport, Louisiana, a teen in the backseat of a car fatally shot the front seat passenger. There were four males in the car. A 16-year-old was in the back handling an AR-style pistol that unintentionally fired, hitting …
One Person Dead, Five Wounded in Unintentional Shootings A 3-year-old boy is in critical condition after shooting himself in the head in Cincinnati, Ohio. Laronn Ellison 21, left a firearm unsecured enabling the child to gain access it. Both he and Antonia Barrow, 43 were arraigned on charges of child endangering and tampering with evidence. …
Two Children Dead, Four Wounded in Unintentional Shootings While recording a video with two friends, a 14-year-old boy in Detroit, Michigan, was shot and killed. One of the friends, a 16-year-old, was handling the 9mm pistol when it accidentally fired striking the victim. He died at the scene. The gun had been stolen from a …
11-year-old Finds a Gun in a Closet in His Home Tracy Smith, age 34, of St. Louis, Missouri was charged with reckless child endangerment after the 11-year-old son of his girlfriend found his loaded gun and used it to shoot and kill himself. The boy, David Winston, took the gun from a purse belonging to …
Teens Playing with Guns Injure Three; Two Others Hurt in Separate Accidental Shootings A group of teenagers were “carelessly” handling a gun in LaGrange, Georgia, when one of them, a 15-year-old, was accidentally shot in the face. He was airlifted to the hospital in serious condition. No other information is available at this time. Another …
Five People Injured in Gun Accidents In Lebanon, Ohio, Daniel C. Wright, 22, accidentally shot himself and his 19-year-old female passenger while sitting in a vehicle in a Walmart parking lot. Wright apparently shot himself in the arm; the bullet went through him and into his passenger’s neck. Both were treated at the scene before …
Two Self-Inflicted, Accidental Shootings Near Schools In Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, a 20-year-old man shot himself while fleeing from police. A passerby reported seeing two men, a ski mask, and a gun near a local elementary school. When police approached, the two men ran, and the one carrying the gun accidentally shot himself in the abdomen …
One Person Dead, Seven Wounded, in Unintentional Shootings Today In Plano, Texas, a three-year-old was hospitalized with an accidental gunshot wound. The circumstances of the accident were not reported. Deonte’ Thomas of Emporia, Virginia was arrested for reckless handling of a firearm after he unintentionally shot a 13-year-old boy in the head. The boy was …
Three Children and an Adult Hurt in Gun Accidents In Fresno, California, a man beat up his friend after the friend accidentally shot the man’s three-year-old child in the leg. The man was both arrested and taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries suffered in the beating. A Tulsa, Oklahoma 17-year old was …
3-Year-Old Shot by Sibling After Finding Loaded Gun in a Drawer Two St. Louis, Missouri siblings found a loaded handgun in a dresser drawer in their home. One of the children shot the other, age 3. Police took the injured child to the hospital, where he is reported to be in serious condition. Markeith Mayo, …
In Belleville, Illinois, a 19-year-old man apparently accidentally shot an 11-yearold relative. The boy was flown to St. Louis in critical condition. The 19-yearoold, Bobby Joe Greathouse was arrested and charged with “reckless conduct causing great bodily harm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and obstructing justice.” Other details of the incident were not released. …
Isreal Whirley, a St. Louis, Missouri two-year old, found a loaded gun in his father’s car and shot himself in the parking lot of a local auto parts store. He later died at the hospital. According to reports, Isreal found the gun between the center console and the driver’s seat of the car. His mother …
One-year old Khori Patterson of St. Louis, Missouri found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the head. He later died at the hospital. “This is just a terrible tragedy that should have never happened. Guns are inherently dangerous,” a police colonel said. Khori’s grandfather said that Khori “loved animals, eating ice …
In North Charleston, South Carolina today, Micah Simmons, a 13-year old, was fatally shot when another child tried to grab a loaded gun from him. Micah died at the hospital. Police say that no charges are likely to be filed and there is no reporting on why Micah had the gun in the first instance. …
In St. Louis, Missouri, a 4-year old found a loaded gun and died after accidentally shooting himself today. Minimal details were reported and there is no word about charges. In Dekalb, Illinois, three men were arrested after they failed to take proper safety precautions while engaging in target practice. One of their rounds passed into …
Four people were injured today, including three children, by shots fired indiscriminately into their homes from the street. All were presumably innocent bystanders. In Meridian, Mississippi, an elderly woman and a five-year old child were victims of a drive-by shooting in which rounds passed into their home. Police are investigating. Both are expected to survive. …
Many people were injured in gun accidents today, with mostly minimal press coverage. Two of the accidents occurred in the Philadelphia area. On the Drexel campus in West Philadelphia, a man accidentally shot himself in the leg inside a Shake Shack restaurant. Given the number of recent mass shootings, it is not surprising that the …
In St. Louis, Missouri, a three-year old is in critical condition at the hospital after he grabbed his babysitter’s gun from a mattress and shot himself in the head. The child’s mother was at work at the time of the incident. A 22-year old was arrested and charged after the incident. “It was the irresponsibleness. …
A four-year old Spanish Lake, Missouri boy was “dropped off” at the hospital with a bullet wound to the arm. Police determined that he was shot accidentally at home, but have not said whether he shot himself or whether he was shot by a man who was also in the home. Source: Dori Olmos, “Man …
14-year old Alexis Pierson, a Port St. Louis, Mississippi middle-schooler was shot and killed in her home by a child who found a loaded gun. One of Alexis’s friends had brought the gun over and did not secure it. When Pierson told the child who found the gun to put it down, the child accidentally …
In Belleville, Illinois, a 3-year old found a loaded gun in his home and used it to shoot himself. The boy is in critical condition at the hospital. And in Lubbock, Texas, John Carrasco was arrested for illegal gun possession after he accidentally shot his father in the leg. According to the report, Carrasco initially …
A St. Louis, Missouri 10-year old shot and killed his 12-year old brother today. Their mother was getting a haircut at home at the time of the incident. The victim, LaFrance Johnson, was a sixth grader. “A 36-year-old woman was arrested for endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death after she told police …
Two St. Louis, Missouri girls, aged 3 and 4, were injured after finding a loaded gun in a parent’s coat pocket and accidentally firing it. One of the girls is in critical condition at the hospital and the other has non-life threatening injuries. There is an ongoing investigation. Source: Kelsee Ward, “2 children, Ages 3 …
An 11-year old girl was struck in the arm by a bullet as an innocent bystander when a dispute erupted at a family gathering at her grandmother’s home in St. Louis, Missouri. She is recovering at the hospital. Also today, an eleven-year old and three teenagers were killed in gun violence incidents in various American …
In St. Louis, Missouri, a two-year old accidentally shot his father in the back with a rifle. The unidentified man, who was in his 20s, died at the scene. No further information is available. A Corry, Pennsylvania man, 64-year old Gary Hunt, was shot and killed while hunting bear with a friend. According to an …
A St. Louis, Missouri three-year old asleep in her bed was shot in the head and rushed to the hospital in critical condition today. The shots were fired outside. No other details were reported. Source: Jason Maxwell, “Three-year-old Shot While Sleeping; Shot Fired Outside Home,” Fox 2 Now (September 6, 2021).
Four people were injured by two bullets in accidental shootings today. In Springer, Oklahoma, the injuries appear to have been caused by a defective firearm. A woman attempting to shoot a skunk from her front porch was maneuvering the slide on a gun when it fired. The round passed through her hand and struck her …
Two children were injured today in gun accidents. In Chester, Pennsylvania, an 11-month old girl was struck in the head when a gun fell off a table and discharged. She is listed in fair condition at the hospital, but is expected to survive. The reporting did not include information about the gun involved in the …
In Shreveport, Louisiana, a 16-year old boy was shot in the head as he and a friend were playing with a gun. He is said to be “fighting for his life.” And in St. Louis, Missouri, Marquis Bishop, age 30, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child after a three-year old …
Four children were injured today in three incidents in which bullets fired outdoors entered their homes. It appears that the children were all innocent bystanders to gun violence. In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, a 13-year old from Wisconsin was struck and killed while standing inside the home where he was visiting. It is unclear why shots …
Once again, the focus today is on the rash of gun violence affecting American children. Three toddlers were shot in apparent gun accidents today. At least ten teenagers were also killed or injured in eight shootings across the country. Two four-year olds and a three-year old were involved in gun accidents that were barely covered …
One child was killed and three were injured in accidental shootings today. In each case, reports of the incident contain minimal details. In Dallas, Texas, 17-year old Chadrick Good was shot and killed by a 16-year old who accidentally fired a gun while sitting behind Good in a vehicle. The 16-year old has been charged …
Once again, multiple children were unintentional victims of gun violence today. One 7-year old was shot by a 9-year old relative. The other three victims were innocent bystanders to intentional gun violence. In Houston, Texas, a 7-year old child was shot by a 9-year old relative who found a loaded gun on the bed in …
Kristen Whitted, a St. Louis, Missouri woman, died alone in her car when she has struck by a stray bullet fired in a shootout between two cars on Interstate I-170. An innocent bystander, she “had no connection to the other vehicles and was caught in the crossfire.” Kristen’s family released the following statement: “Kristen always …
A local new story in St. Louis begins, “[a]nother child has been killed by a gun, this time a 6-year-old … St. Louis Police are not releasing much information.” It is at least the tenth death of a child in or around St. Louis since the beginning of the year. According to the report, a caller …
Three young children were accidentally shot and killed today, one at his own hand and the other two by relatives. In Springboro, Ohio, a five-year old boy shot and killed himself with his grandmother’s gun. The boy’s father told police that he woke to the sound of a gunshot. In Jackson County, West Virginia, a …
A three-year old in St. Louis was shot and killed with a gun. Although the police did not confirm that he shot himself, they did call the shooting an accident. “This is a heartbreaking and horrific tragedy,” St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson said in a statement. “It’s also a serious reminder of the responsibility that …
Two teenagers were shot to death today by others in incidents that involved playing with a gun. In Tamaqua, a borough in Eastern Pennsylvania, Eric Tavener was shot and killed accidentally by 21-year old Francis Witmayer. Witnesses said that Tavener, an 18-year old, was playing with a gun when he was asked to return it …
In St. Louis, Missouri, a 12-year old boy was accidentally shot when a family member fired a warning shot at a person she believed was going to rob her. The bullet struck the ground and the ricochet hit the boy in the hand. He was taken to a hospital where he was expected to recover. …
A 10-year old St. Louis, Missouri boy found a gun outside his apartment building, brought it inside and accidentally shot himself in the leg. The gun had earlier been stolen in Springfield, Missouri according to police. Source: “Boy, 10, Accidentally Shot Himself With Stolen Gun He Found Outside, Police Say,” KMOV4 (January 30, 2020).
20-year old Gregory Lee Miller, Jr. of Lexington Kentucky died today of a gunshot wound. 25-year old Jaquan St. Louis has been arrested and charged with reckless homicide. According to police, St. Louis believed the gun was unloaded when he pointed it at Miller. Source: “Arrest Made in Lexington’s First Homicide of 2020, Victim Identified,” …
Gringo Tacos + Burgers Restaurant In St. Louis, Missouri closed early on Sunday after an employee of the restaurant accidentally shot and killed himself while changing clothes in the bathroom. Police said the shooting is not suspicious. It is unclear whether the restaurant prohibited guns on the premises. Employees declined to comment, stating that the …
Three Unintended Shootings on Halloween Dusty Clausen, of Payette, Idaho, who is the father of two young children, including one who is three months old, is in critical condition after accidentally shooting himself on Halloween. While removing a loaded rifle from a gun safe inside his home, the trigger snagged on other firearms in the …
Two People Killed in Gun Accidents, Including a Four-year-old In Brusly, Louisiana, four-year-old Hudson Tassin fatally shot himself with a gun he found in the console of a pickup truck. According to the sheriff’s office the gun was in a holster in the console, and the child found the gun when an adult left the …
Two Children Killed in Accidental Shootings Seven-year-old Justice Jenkins died after shooting himself with a gun in a home in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the 911 call made by his great-grandmother, children and adults who were in the home at the time said that Justice had been playing with the gun when he shot himself. Police …
Four People Injured in Accidental Shootings A 17-year-old boy in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, was critically injured after shooting himself with a stolen gun. Charges will likely be filed once the investigation is completed. Little information has been reported about an accidental shooting in Marshalltown, Iowa, that injured one adult and one child. Both were taken to the hospital with …
Two Boys Unintentionally Shoot Their Younger Brothers, One Fatally Amir Williams, an 11-year-old sixth grader, died in his home in St. Petersburg, Florida, after being unintentionally shot by his 14-year-old brother who was playing with a stolen gun he had found. School was out that day, and the two boys were home with their 13-year-old …
Three Juveniles and Police Chief Injured in Separate Unintentional Shootings In Savannah, Georgia, a 9-year-old boy accidentally shot himself. Few details have been reported, but police say the boy was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A juvenile in Nashville, Tennessee, was accidentally shot through the arm and taken to the hospital for treatment. …
Toddler and Teen are Killed, and Police Officer Wounded in Unintentional Shootings In Greenville, North Carolina, Kayden Swinnely, 3, shot and killed himself after he found a loaded, unsecured gun inside his apartment. A 13-year-old had unlocked the gun safe and left the firearm where Kayden was able to access it. The two children were …
Man Dies in Gun Cleaning Accident; Three People Injured in Unintentional Shootings Two men were cleaning a gun in New Orleans, Louisiana, when it unintentionally discharged, fatally striking one of them, a 22-year-old, in the chest. He died from his injuries later at the hospital. No other information is available at this time. A boy …
Boy Unintentionally Shot with a Ghost Gun and Three Other Children Wounded by Stray Bullets In Gurnee, Illinois, a 15-year-old boy is in the hospital in critical condition after being accidentally shot in the abdomen. He was in the basement with two 16-year-old friends, when one produced and discharged a semi-automatic ghost gun, unintentionally striking …
Four Children Injured in Gun Accidents, Two of Those with Guns They Found In Memphis, Tennessee, a 5-year-old boy suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being accidentally shot at his home. The 5-year-old and his brother had found the gun near their home, but it’s not reported who pulled the trigger. No charges have been filed and …
Eight-year-old Dies in Accidental Shooting; Three Other Children are Also Involved in Gun Accidents An eight-year-old boy died of a gunshot wound today after being airlifted to a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. The Franklin County boy and his four-year-old brother had found a loaded gun at home. The two boys had the gun in a …
Two New Orleans, Louisiana boys were caught in the crossfire today when the passengers of an SUV opened fire on occupants of a blue Hyundai. Both innocent bystanders went to the hospital for treatment. No other information is available, including whether any of the participant in the shooting have been identified and arrested. Source: Missy …
A Wichita, Kansas two-year old had access to a loaded gun in his home and used it to shoot himself in the leg. Police were called to the hospital rather than to the scene and are currently investigating. And a Zachary, Louisiana, a two-year old pulled a gun out of his mother’s purse and shot …
Savannah Holmes, an Ankeny, Iowa four-year old shot herself in the face with her father’s gun. She later died at the hospital. According to the police, Savannah’s father responded to people pounding on the door by getting a gun and leaving it on the couch while going to get his son. Savannah got out of …
Every type of gun safety problem was on display in gun accidents that occurred today. All of today’s accidents are tragic, but none more so than the death of a Texas two-year old in Lawrence, Kansas who was shot in the chest while visiting at a local home. Details of the circumstances of the accident …
A 17-year old, a 12-year old and a four-year old were injured in gun accidents today. In Rigby, Idaho, a 17-year old was removing his gun from a vehicle while fishing with friends when the gun accidentally fired and he was struck in the chest. He was flown to the hospital and is expected to …
Two young people were accidentally shot and killed by friends today while playing with guns. 18-year old Armani Hall of Louisville, Kentucky was shot and killed by her 21-year old friend Adrianna King. King admitted that she had been playing with the gun. She was arrested and charged with one count of reckless homicide. In …