Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Juvenile Arrested Missouri Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas Uncategorized

FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021

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 …

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Arkansas Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Children and Guns Ongoing Investigation Utah

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

In Little Rock, Arkansas, a three-year old found a loaded gun and shot himself in the eye.  The boy is in critical condition at the hospital.  There was no discussion in the article about how the boy obtained an unsecured loaded gun or about why manufacturers are allowed to design guns that a three-year old …

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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) No Charges Filed Tennessee

MONDAY, JULY 19, 2021

For the second time this month, a Sumner County, Tennessee child was killed in a gun accident.  In this case, which occurred in the small town of Westmoreland, the sheriff’s office announced only a fatal accident involving the death of a six-year old child.  The office stressed that the incident was “purely accidental” and declined …

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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Mississippi No Charges Filed

SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021

In Hickory, Mississippi, a three-year old found a loaded gun in the glove compartment of his family car and shot and killed himself while his parents were inviting people to a revival meeting.  The boy’s parents were not charged. The local sheriff called the incident a “horrible accident.” No other details were reported. Sources: “Newton …

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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Juvenile Arrested Utah

SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2021

In West Jordan, Utah, a 13-year old boy was accidentally killed by his 15-year old friend.  According to police, the two had snuck out in the middle of the night with a handgun and were “messing around with it” in a church parking lot.  “At some point, the 15-year-old accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting and …

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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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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Ohio Ongoing Investigation Uncategorized

TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

According to Maple Heights, Ohio police, 5-year old Princeton Patterson found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the head.  They found him dead at the scene. There is an open question about whether an adult will be charged for failing to properly secure the gun.  A local law professor says state …

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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Ongoing Investigation Tennessee

MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021

Two Tennessee children were unintentional victims of gun violence today; an 11-year old was killed and a 5-year old was injured in separate incidents. In Memphis, Tennessee, a single gunshot inside an apartment complex struck and killed an 11-year old, according to neighbors.  Police are investigating.  “It’s overwhelming, overwhelming, you know what I’m saying,” said …

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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 Death Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Kansas Ongoing Investigation Texas

MONDAY, JULY 5, 2021

Adam L. Carroll of Lenexa, Kansas, died today after his friend negligently fired a gun inside an apartment building.  The shooter, who was not identified, immediately called 911 and attempted life-saving measures. There is an ongoing investigation. “I just hope it was an accident and, at the end of the day, they just get down …

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Adult Injury Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida North Carolina Ongoing Investigation South Dakota Virginia

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021

Although there were many hundreds of incidents of gun violence on Independence Day, there were thankfully no deaths clearly associated with celebratory gunfire.  However, several people were injured in such incidents across the country.  Also today, a six-year old Knoxville, Tennessee boy found a gun and shot himself to death. In Raleigh North Carolina, Alexandria …

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Alabama Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Illinois Maryland No Charges Filed Oklahoma Ongoing Investigation South Carolina

SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2021

At least three toddlers and two teenagers were injured in gun accidents today.  The reported details of most of the incidents are limited or murky.  In Birmingham, Alabama, a two-year old apparently shot himself inside a vehicle at a gas station.  The news story implies that the child found a gun in the car, perhaps …

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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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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) New York North Carolina Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

Four kids were killed or injured as innocent bystanders to other people’s violence in three incidents today. In Statesville, North Carolina, an eight-year old girl was killed and a nine-year old boy was injured when a gunman pulled up at their home in a car and started shooting.  The children happened to be caught outside.  …

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Adult Injury California Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) New York No Charges Filed Ohio Ongoing Investigation

SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

In Manhattan, New York, a newly commissioned off-duty New Jersey trooper accidentally fired a round on a Penn Station train platform while adjusting his holster. He shot himself once in the leg and was treated at the hospital.  No word about whether the gun had a manual safety and whether it was deployed.             There …

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California Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

A three-year old and a ten-year old died in gun accidents on opposite sides of the country today when they found loaded guns in their homes. In Fresno, California, 3-year old Bryson Vang found his father’s loaded gun and shot and killed himself. His parents and siblings were home at the time.  The gun was …

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Adult Injury Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Illinois New Hampshire Ongoing Investigation

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021

A child, believed to be 6 or 7 years old, shot themselves in their Burbank, Illinois home today, sometime in the mid-afternoon. No details of the circumstances of the accident were released. In Milton, New Hampshire a 32-year old man was shot in the head by his 8-year old nephew while hunting chipmunks.  “It’s not …

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Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Idaho Kentucky Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania

THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

A Hopkinsville, Kentucky 15-year old was critically injured in a gun accident today.  He was hospitalized locally with critical injuries, but was expected to be transferred by helicopter to Nashville for further treatment.  No details of the circumstances of the accident were released. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city riven by recent gun violence, a 12-year …

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Adult Injury North Carolina Ongoing Investigation

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

In Surry County, North Carolina, two Sheriff’s deputies were injured due to “accidental discharge of a firearm” during a training exercise at a local firing range.  Both deputies were treated for minor injuries and the Sheriff’s department has opened an internal investigation. Source: Paul Choate, “2 Surry County Deputies Injured by ‘Accidental Discharge of a …

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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 Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Illinois Juvenile Arrested North Carolina Ongoing Investigation

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

Two women were severely injured today when men they were with mishandled guns.  An 18-year old Danville, Illinois woman is in stable condition after she was accidentally shot in the chest by her 16-year old boyfriend who mishandled a handgun. The boyfriend was taken into custody on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and …

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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Florida Juvenile Arrested

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

A 14-year old Jacksonville, Florida boy was arrested and charged with negligence after a 6-year old found a gun in a bedroom of his home and accidentally killed himself.  Police said the 14-year-old is accused of improperly storing the gun because he had had possession of the weapon earlier that day. The child,  6-year old …

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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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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Juvenile Arrested Ohio

THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021

In Youngstown, Ohio this afternoon, two teenagers were playing with a gun when one of them was shot and killed. Malik Stewart, the victim, was 16-years old. His friend, also 16, was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies. Fifty people have been shot in Youngstown so far this …

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Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Connecticut Georgia Juvenile Arrested Michigan Ongoing Investigation

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

In Americus, Georgia, a 16-year old boy was listed in critical condition after being accidentally shot.  He and a group of boys were horsing around with a gun on the back deck of a local home.  One of the boys, Jordan Hamilton, age 17, was arrested and charged with reckless conduct. In Waterbury, Connecticut, a …

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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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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Kansas New York Ongoing Investigation

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

A 15-year old girl died and two children, age 6 and 8, were injured as unintended victims of gun violence today. Destiny Greene, an Albany, New York high school student was an innocent bystander when gunfire erupted at a social event organized via social media.  She died at the hospital. “Destiny is the tenth person …

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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 Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Illinois Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Michigan Ohio Ongoing Investigation

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021

In Akron, Ohio, a 13-year old boy accidentally shot a 15-year old girl.  The boy was handling a gun in the back seat of a car when it fired.  The round passed through a seat and struck the girl who suffered non-life threatening injuries. Also today, more than 10 innocent bystanders were shot in gun …

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Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Ongoing Investigation

TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021

Police in Orlando, Florida are investigating an incident in which a four-year old child found a loaded gun and fired it.  These are the available details according to a tweet by the Orlando police: “Upon investigating, officers determined that a 4-year-old child picked up a firearm and accidentally discharged it. The child suffered a non-life-threatening …

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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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Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

An 11-year old child was shot and killed by another child inside an East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania home. “A single gunshot discharged from a handgun being handled by another juvenile in the residence,” was how the fatal shot was described in a news release issued by the state police.  No information about how the children had …

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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 Injury No Charges Filed Virginia

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

A Hampton, Virginia press release issued by the Hampton Police Department provides the following report which leaves unclear whether the gun was discharged intentionally or unintentionally: At approximately 9:31 p.m., Public Safety Communications received a call in reference to a shooting that just occurred in the 100 block of Hamlet Lane. Upon arrival, officers located …

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Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana No Charges Filed

TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021

In Elkhart, Indiana, a five-year old boy found a loaded gun in his family’s mobile home and shot himself in the chest. Police have confirmed that the shooting was accidental.  The boy went to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, although after surgery, he is expected to survive. “My child. That’s what ran through my mind,” …

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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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