Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Illinois Ongoing Investigation Tennessee

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

A Ripley, Tennessee three-year old found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the head. He was found dead at the scene.  No arrests have been made, but there is an ongoing investigation. Also today, the father of a Dolton, Illinois three-year old who accidentally shot and killed his mother was arrested …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Louisiana Ongoing Investigation Virginia

SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2022

Three children found loaded guns in their homes today and injured themselves, two of them in Baton Rouge Louisiana. The two incidents make three accidental shootings in Baton Rouge in just two days. Deetroy Watkins, 26, of Baton Rouge was arrested after he left his gun in a couch cushion.  His three-year old son found …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Alaska Alcohol and Guns Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Louisiana Mississippi Pennsylvania

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

There were at least four more serious gun accidents today, for a total of nine in two days.  Several of the accidents occurred because the shooter wasn’t aware that the gun was loaded, making it unlikely that the weapons involved had a proper loaded chamber indicator, a common sense safety device. In North Pole, Alaska, …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Tennessee

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2022

Reports suggest that accidental shootings often happen during crimes. This is not surprising because guns obviously highly correlate with criminal activity and accidents happen frequently when guns are present.  An example from today’s news: In Nashville, Tennessee, a teenager was driving a stolen car with a gun on his lap when it fired and struck …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Virginia

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022

Nydia Wynn, a Virginia Beach, Virginia mother was arrested and charged with felony child neglect after leaving her ten-year old child alone in a hotel room with a gun. The child found the gun and shot themselves in the leg. Additional criminal charges are pending. Source: “Woman Charged with Felony Child Neglect After 10-year-old Shoots Self …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Alcohol and Guns Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Juvenile Arrested Texas

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

A Robstown, Texas man was charged with manslaughter after he accidentally shot and killed 47-year old Patricia Blanco.  The man, Arturo Gonzalez, age 50, admitted to officers that he was very drunk when his revolver “went off.” In Cumming, Georgia, a teenager was arrested on multiple charges after he shot another boy in the chest …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Georgia Illinois Ongoing Investigation

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022

In Columbus, Georgia, a three-year old was shot and killed under circumstances that have not been described, but which authorities say are likely to be ruled accidental.  No follow-up news stories appeared in the first five days following the incident. In Chicago, Illinois, a security guard who had been shot in the leg in a …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) North Carolina Washington, DC

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Trampas Penny, age 44, of Benson, North Carolina was shot and killed in a  gun accident at the pawn shop where he worked.  Penny was a gunsmith there.  Although police have concluded that the incident was accidental, no information about the circumstances of the accident has been released.  Shatiyah Johnson has been charged with manslaughter …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Iowa New York Ongoing Investigation

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

A Storm Lake, Iowa nine-year old was struck in the lower body by an accidentally fired handgun round today.  Another child living in the home had found an unsecured gun and fired it.  The child is expected to survive. Two children, an 11-month old in the Bronx, New York and a five-year old in Atlanta, …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Georgia North Carolina Ongoing Investigation

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2022

Three children, age 2, age 4, and age 15, were shot and injured in gun accidents today.  The two year-old, of Spring Lake, North Carolina, was shot with a semi-automatic pistol as he was sitting in his mother’s car, while she was speaking with someone through the window.  Police have declined to say whether he …

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Adult Arrested Alabama Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Michigan Ongoing Investigation

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022

A pair of three-year old children found loaded guns in their homes and accidentally shot themselves today. In Birmingham, Alabama, a three-year old found a family member’s loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the leg.   He is expected to survive. The report notes that it was the second incident in Jefferson County …

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Adult Arrested Arizona Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Florida Ongoing Investigation Tennessee

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2022

Three more two-year olds were shot and killed today after small children found unattended loaded guns in their homes.  Four American two-year olds have died from unintended gun violence in just two days. In Callaway, Florida, a four-year old shot a two-year old sibling, according to the Sheriff’s Office. “We’ll be evaluating and gathering evidence. …

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Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Juvenile Arrested Louisiana

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2022

Tony Ebarb, age 16, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was handling a gun with his younger brother in the back seat of their father’s car when the gun discharged. Tony was struck and killed.  The accident occurred while the family was waiting in the drive-through lane at a local fast-food restaurant. The boys’ father, Jeffery Ebarb, had …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death California Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Law Enforcement Action (At Time of Report) Texas

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

In North Hollywood, California, Valentina Orellana-Peralta, a 14-year old girl who was shopping for a quinceañera dress, was accidentally shot and killed in a department store dressing room when a bullet passed through a wall during a police action at the store. She died at the scene. Los Angeles police were shooting at an assault …

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Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Colorado Juvenile Arrested Oklahoma

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2021

Two teenagers were accidentally shot in gun accidents on Halloween.  One has died and the other is hospitalized. A Denver, Colorado teenager is in custody after another juvenile was shot and killed in a gun accident at a local home.  A 17-year old is in custody and is being investigated for manslaughter.  The police have …

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Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Ohio Tennessee

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2021

In Bradley County, Tennessee, a two-year old child found a loaded gun at home, shot themself in the chest, and was later pronounced dead at the local hospital.  “A preliminary investigation discovered that the firearm had been left unsecured and the child was able to have access to the weapon.” The child’s father, Matthew Jenkins, …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Injury (18 and Under) Michigan Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021

Authorities in Clinton Township, Michigan are expected to charge a man whose gun went off during a physical altercation with his younger brother.   The two men were wrestling on the floor when the gun fired and the younger man was killed. The precise circumstances causing the gun to go off are unclear. Although the police …

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Adult Arrested Alcohol and Guns Child Death (18 and Under) Indiana Juvenile Arrested Wisconsin

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

Garrick Baker,an intoxicated Westfield, Indiana man shot and killed his stepson, age 18, who was sleeping on a couch at the time of the incident.  According to the report, the man was handling a gun in his living room while “presumed to be intoxicated.”  It went off. Baker was arrested and charged with criminal recklessness. …

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Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Texas

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

A two-year old in Waco, Texas shot himself in the head with a loaded gun he found in his uncle’s backpack. He later died at the hospital.  After the incident, the boy’s uncle, Derrick Pipkins, left the scene with the gun. Pipkins was later arrested and charged with tampering with evidence. Source: Felicia Cardenas, “Waco …

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Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Colorado Georgia Ongoing Investigation

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

Minimal details were reported about two gun accidents that occurred today. The Winter Park, Colorado police department reported that Eric Van Geet, age 25, was arrested and charged with second degree assault and reckless endangerment after he picked up a .22 caliber revolver inside a local apartment, cocked it, and pulled the trigger.  He shot …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

In Cleveland, Ohio, a 6-year old boy found his uncle’s gun under a bed and accidentally shot himself in the hand. The boy’s uncle was arrested and charged with child endangerment.  The boy was taken for emergency treatment at the hospital. Source: Adam Ferrise, “6-year-old Boy Accidentally Shoots Self with Uncle’s Gun in Cleveland, Police …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

Johnnel Green of Marietta, Georgia was arrested today after leaving a loaded semi-automatic pistol on a patio chair at a home he was visiting.  Two cousins, a four-year old and a two-year old, found the gun.  The four-year old apparently fired a single round and both children were injured. After the incident, Green apparently left …

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Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Ongoing Investigation Tennessee

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021

Two Memphis, Tennessee girls were shot and killed in separate gun accidents today. In the first incident, at 2:30 A.M., William Oliver accidentally shot and killed his own eight-year old daughter, believing she was an intruder.  He has been arrested and charged with reckless homicide. In the other incident, a Memphis six-year old was shot …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Juvenile Arrested Louisiana Texas

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021

Negligence with guns appears to have been the cause of at least two deaths today.  In both incidents, the shooter is likely to be prosecuted. In Thibodaux, Louisiana, a teenager was shot and killed when he and a friend were playing with a handgun.  An unidentified 15-year old is charged with negligent homicide. And in …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina Ohio Ongoing Investigation

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2021

In Jackson, Mississippi, police are investigating the accidental shooting death of Jeffrey Sutton II,  the 15-year old son of Jackson’s fire chief. He was shot in the lower extremities.  No other details are available at this time.  According to the report, Sutton was the second child of a Jackson firefighter to die of a gunshot …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Missouri Ohio Ongoing Investigation

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

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 …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter)

THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021

In Southport, Florida, a five-year old child shot a seven-year old sibling with a 20-gauge shotgun while their mother slept in another room.  Sheriff’s deputies found the seven-year old bleeding on the bathroom floor in her mother’s arms with “severe and life-threatening injuries.” According to the report, the injured girl told investigators that her brother …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Alcohol and Guns Child Injury (18 and Under) Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania Texas

FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021

A 22-year old was killed and three children were seriously injured in gun accidents today. In Dunmore, Pennsylvania, 22-year old Tyler Sitar was accidentally shot in the stomach by his friend Luigi Lorusso, who was handling a gun.  Sitar died of his wound and Lorusso was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Another Columbus, Ohio child, …

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Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Kansas Louisiana Ongoing Investigation

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

In Wichita, Kansas, a three-year old found a gun and shot herself and her father while he was sleeping.  The girl was struck in the hand and her father was struck in the leg.  Both were treated at the hospital.  Police are investigating how the firearm was stored. During the investigation, three other children have …

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Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Oklahoma Ongoing Investigation Utah

FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021

Two more children died in gun accidents today, a seven-year old girl and a five-year old boy. In Heber City, Utah, a man who was described as “incredibly intoxicated” fired a gun through an apartment wall. The round struck a seven-year old girl in the next apartment and killed her. Christopher O’Connell, age 34, was …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Tennessee West Virginia

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021

Two people died today in apparent gun accidents. In Goodlettsville, Tennessee, police found 8-year old Brayden Bowling in his home, suffering from an apparent accidental gunshot wound.  No specifics of the incident have been reported, including whether the boy found a loaded gun and shot himself.  Brayden later died at the hospital.  The principal of …

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Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Missouri

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

Devonte Carter, Jr., a four-year old, found his father’s loaded gun and accidentally shot himself to death in Jennings, Missouri.  His father, Devonte Carter, Sr., age 25, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a firearm and is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.  Source: “4-year-old Jennings Boy …

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Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Colorado New York Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania

SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021

Six women and a toddler were struck by stray bullets in four incidents today.  Although the shooters may have had violent intent, all of the women struck were not intended targets. In Aurora, Colorado, numerous shots were fired by two or more shooters outside an apartment complex.  Two of the rounds passed into the building.  …

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Texas

SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021

In Grande Prairie, Texas, 29-year old Marque Wilford accidentally discharged his firearm inside his apartment. The bullet passed through an apartment wall and struck and killed his 32-year old neighbor.  Wilford was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Source: “North Texas Man Arrested For Allegedly Shooting Through Apartment, Killing Neighbor,”  11/21 CBS DFQ (June 14, 2021).

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Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Connecticut Illinois Kansas Massachusetts No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas

SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021

All over the country today, people were injured, in some cases critically, in gun accidents.  The available news reports make it difficult to separate those who were engaged in unsafe practices from those who were injured based on lack of safety features on their guns.  In most cases, accidents can presumably be attributed to both …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Children and Guns Florida

THE DANGERS OF FACSIMILE WEAPONS DESIGNED TO LOOK REAL

A good deal has been written about the risks of paint ball weapons and toy guns that are designed to look real.  The marketplace has far too many facsimile weapons that can be mistaken as potentially lethal.  Police officers frequently report being unable to tell the difference between individuals armed with real guns from kids …

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Adult Arrested Alabama Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Kentucky Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington

SATURDAY, MAY 22, 2021

Seven children under the age of six were killed or injured by gunfire today.  All of them were innocent bystanders to adult gun violence. In Memphis Tennessee, a one-year old child was shot and killed inside a vehicle. “Our kids are scared to death out there,” a local community group leader said.  The other incidents …

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Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Montana North Carolina Ongoing Investigation

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021

A 34-year old Burlington, North Carolina woman was arrested for failing to secure a firearm “to protect a minor” after a 15-year old boy was accidentally shot.  The incident involved three children who gained access to the woman’s gun.  The boy was taken to the hospital with unspecified injuries. In Helena, Montana, a 68-year old …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Mississippi New York Oklahoma Ongoing Investigation

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

Two six-year old children and a five-year old were injured in unintentional shooting incidents today.  Both six-year olds were innocent bystanders to the disputes of others and the five-year old was accidentally shot by her own father.  In Yonkers, New York, a six-year old boy who was answering the door of his home was shot …

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Adult Arrested California Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Illinois No Charges Filed

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021

Two three-year old boys gained access to loaded handguns in separate accidents and shot themselves.  Available reporting suggests that the parents were treated differently after the two incidents. Neither report suggests that police are asking why gun manufacturers are allowed to make guns that a three-year old can fire.  In Bakersfield, California, 29-year old Shawndel …

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Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Georgia Ongoing Investigation Tennessee

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Three children were seriously injured in separate gun accidents today, one in Florida, one in Tennessee and one in Georgia.  A 14-year old boy in Miami, Florida was preparing to start working out with his father in the family garage.  When he went to move his father’s gun, it went off.  The boy was airlifted …

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