Two People Injured in Accidental Shootings A woman was struck in the stomach by a bullet that came through her kitchen wall in Stafford, Virginia. Her neighbor, Derek Avery-Craft, admitted to officers that he had pulled the trigger of a handgun that had a round in the chamber. The bullet traveled through his garage, across the …
Category: Indiana
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024
Five People Injured in Unintentional Shootings A 19-year-old was accidentally shot in the shoulder in a motel in Fairborn, Ohio. A witness told police that Jacob Adkins and the victim were “messing around with the gun” before it fired. And according to Adkins, he believed the gun discharged because it hit a desk as he …
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024
Woman Injured by Stray Bullet Fired More than 4000 Feet Away In North Salem, Indiana, a 70-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after sustaining a gunshot wound to her upper arm. It was determined by investigators that she was accidentally shot by people target shooting about 4,400 feet away. The victim …
Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Florida Georgia Indiana Kentucky Ongoing Investigation Wyoming
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
Six People Injured in Accidental Shootings, including an Infant In an extended stay hotel in Whitestown, Indiana, a 1-year-old boy was unintentionally shot in the stomach by his 22-year-old father. The father was handling the gun when it fired, sending the child to the hospital in critical, but stable condition. All people involved are cooperating …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Indiana Ongoing Investigation
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
Indiana Two-year-old Shoots and Kills Himself After Finding Loaded Gun Jarel Miles, an Indianapolis, Indiana two-year-old, shot and killed himself with a loaded gun he found at home. Police are investigating to determine if charges should be filed. “This is 100% preventable,” the Police Chief said. “We’ve been preaching it over and over again, if …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury California Indiana Iowa No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Tennessee
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2024
Woman Killed, and Three Injured in Unintentional Shootings In Memphis, Tennessee, a woman was shot in a vehicle and died. Police say a man and a child were also in the car, and that the child accidentally shot the woman. The woman was a local schoolteacher. The school issued a statement saying they are “deeply …
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2024
Two Boys Hurt in Self-Inflicted, Unintentional Shootings A 7-year-old boy is recovering from a gunshot wound in stable condition in Indianapolis, Indiana. Police are investigating, but believe that the boy unintentionally shot himself. And in Chicago, Illinois, an 11-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the foot. He was taken to the hospital in good condition. …
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024
5-year-old Kills Self With Father’s Loaded Glock Found Under Pillow Travell Daniels, 29, was watching his 5-year-old son for the weekend in a home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Daniels laid the child down for a nap in his bedroom and went downstairs to watch television. Shortly after, he heard a loud bang and returned to …
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2024
One Person Injured in Unintentional Shooting In Griffith, Indiana, a person was treated for a non-life-threatening injury at the hospital after being unintentionally shot. The circumstances of the accident were not reported, but police say that all the people involved knew each other and that there is an ongoing investigation. Source: Molly DeVore, “Police: 1 …
Adult Arrested Arizona Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Indiana No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Tennessee
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2023
8-year-old Killed; Two Teens Injured in Unintentional Shootings In St. David, Arizona, 8-year-old Bradley John Shockley was accidentally shot in the chest with an air rifle while riding on the back of a friends’s four-wheeler. He was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. The vehicle went through an area where people were …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Michigan No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2023
One Teen is Killed, Two are Injured in Gun Accidents In Dallas, Texas, police are investigating the accidental shooting death of a 16-year-old. Little information has been reported and the victim’s identity has not been released. In Indianapolis, Indiana, a 17-year-old is in critical condition with gunshot wounds. The suspected shooter remained on the scene …
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023
Toddler Accidentally Shot and Killed In Merrillville, Indiana, 3-year-old King Penro was accidentally shot inside a home, and later died at the hospital. Few details about the incident have been reported. Police recovered a gun at the scene that had fired one round and are continuing to investigate. It is unclear if charges will be …
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023
18-year-old Accidentally Shot and Killed Evan Neumeister, an 18-year-old from New Palestine, Indiana, was accidentally shot in the chest and later died at the hospital. Officials are still investigating the apparent accidental shooting, which occurred with three friends present, but preliminarily they know that the 9 mm handgun used belonged to 20-year-old Erik N. Wilkinson. …
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023
Toddler Finds Mother’s Gun, Shoots and Kills Younger Brother A 3-year-old boy found his mother’s loaded gun in her purse, and shot and killed his 2-year-old brother in Gary, Indiana. The case is under investigation. The mayor and police chief released a joint statement. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the loved ones of …
Adult Injury Alabama Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana No Charges Filed North Carolina Ongoing Investigation
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023
Teens Shot While Playing with Guns, and Two Other Gun Accidents Today A group of teenagers were playing with guns when two of them were accidentally shot in Center Point, Alabama. A 16-year-old and a 19-year-old were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. As the mayor described the incident, “[a] group of teenagers …
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023
Three People Are Hurt in Accidental Shootings, Including a Boy Shot by his 6-year-old Brother A 9-year-old boy is hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after his 6-year-old brother accidentally shot him in Jacksonville, Florida. There were two adults and five children in home at the time of the shooting. Police are working to determine where the …
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
Two Men Unintentionally Shoot Themselves A man unintentionally shot himself in the leg with his friend’s gun in Franklin, Indiana. The two friends were at a skate park and were showing each other their guns. The victim didn’t realize that the safety was off on his friend’s loaded gun when he pulled the trigger. The …
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
Two Innocent Bystanders are Injured, and a Man Shoots Himself in the Leg While Clearing a Gun A husband and wife in Fort McDowell, Arizona heard gunshots, and then the woman was struck in the arm. She was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. It’s unknown who fired the shots or where they came …
Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Ongoing Investigation South Dakota Texas
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
One Dead, and Two Wounded in Unintentional Shootings Inside an apartment in Gary, Indiana, a 4-year-old boy was wounded when he shot himself with an unsecured gun. According to his father, the child found the loaded gun in a purse in a closet while his parents were in other rooms. No other information has been …
Adult Injury Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana New York No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023
Five-year-old Boy Kills Himself with Unsecured Gun and Two Law Enforcement Officers Unintentionally Shoot Themselves A five-year-old boy found an unsecured gun and unintentionally shot and killed himself in Gary, Indiana. A 32-year-old man was to check in on a 17-year-old girl and the boy while adults were away. He arrived at the home after …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa New Jersey New York No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2023
Six Gun Accidents Today A 3-year-old Trenton, New Jersey boy is in stable condition after shooting himself in the head with a gun brought into the home by 30-year-old Chante Odom. Two other children and an adult male were at home during the incident. Odom has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, …
California Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Juvenile Arrested No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2023
Two Teens Injured in Gun Accidents In Fortuna, California, a 17-year-old boy is in stable condition at the hospital after accidentally shooting himself. Investigators recovered a 9mm handgun under the teen’s mattress with a spent casing jammed in the slide. A 14-year-old was accidentally shot when they, and a 17-year-old male, attempted to rob someone …
Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Illinois Indiana New Mexico Ohio Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Virginia
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2023
Six Unintended Shootings of Children: Two Dead, Four Wounded Children playing with a gun resulted in an unintentional shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl in Roswell, New Mexico. Few details are reported other than that the incident is still under investigation. In Indianapolis, Indiana, 11-year-old Jordan Robertson was accidentally shot and killed in a home …
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023
Two Toddlers Loaded Guns; Two Dead In South Bend, Indiana, one-year-old Kylin Brooks was shot and killed by his two-year-old cousin with a loaded, unsecured gun. Kylin’s uncle, 19-year-old Joseph Troupe, and his children were staying overnight with Kylin and his mother. Troupe had placed the semi-automatic gun under his pillow on the floor, and …
Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Illinois Indiana Juvenile Arrested No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia
MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023
Five Unintentional Shootings: Three Involving Teens, Two Involving Security Personnel; One Dead, Four Injured Yoel Lopez, 21, was unintentionally shot and killed by 18-year-old Josue Cruz in Nashville, Tennessee. Lopez was in a parked car with his cousin and Cruz, when an AR-style pistol that Cruz was playing with, went off, striking Lopez. Cruz fled …
Alabama Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Ongoing Investigation
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2023
Two 4-year-old Girls: One is Shot and Killed by a 5-year-old Sibling and the Other Shoots Herself Deor Nita, a 4-year-old girl in Indianapolis, Indiana, was shot and killed by her 5-year-old sibling. Two other siblings were with them when the gun they were playing with unintentionally discharged. It is unclear who owns the gun …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Florida Indiana New York Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
Today’s Unintentional Shootings In the Bronx, New York, after shooting his 32-year-old roommate in the head, killing him, the shooter fled down the apartment building stairwell and unintentionally shot and killed himself. Another man, 56, was grazed in the cheek during the incident. According to a detective on the case, the 28-year-old gunman tripped and …
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023
Two Dead, Two Injured, in Accidental Shootings A 7-year-old child shot a 5-year-old child inside a home in McKee, Kentucky today. The child died at the scene. Police said in a statement that the shooting was “accidental,” but no further information has been reported. In Gloversville, New York, Dante Edwards-Morrison, age 30, was killed accidentally …
Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Juvenile Arrested Ongoing Investigation
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
Three Indianapolis Children Hurt in Unintentional Shootings During a violent weekend, three children were unintentionally shot in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday. 2:00 p.m.: Two juveniles were apparently handling a gun when it accidentally fired, striking a 13-year-old. The victim is hospitalized in critical condition. A 16-year-old boy was arrested for aggravated battery; the prosecutor’s office …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Indiana Michigan Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023
One Dead, 7 Wounded in Gun Accidents Parsa Danesh, 19, was accidentally shot and killed in Austin, Texas. Police, after consulting with the District Attorney’s Office, say no charges will be filed at this time, but the case remains under investigation. An 11-year-old girl in Houston, Texas is in stable condition after being hit by …
Adult Injury Arkansas Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Juvenile Arrested North Carolina Ongoing Investigation
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023
One Person Dead, Five Wounded in Unintentional Shootings In North Little Rock, Arkansas, 18-year-old Benjamin Redix was driving back from 17-year-old Jimari Douglas’s high school graduation, when Douglas unintentionally shot and killed him. Redix, who was due to graduate the next day, was pronounced dead at the scene. Douglas was sitting in the backseat of …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Alabama California Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Indiana Juvenile Arrested Massachusetts No Charges Filed Ohio Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania Tennessee Wisconsin
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023
Five Dead and Seven Injured in Unintended Shootings In Indianapolis, Indiana, 5-year-old Hakiem Scott apparently shot himself with an unsecured 9mm gun he found in his home. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but died shortly after. His father, 25-year-old Jahbar Scott, was arrested on an allegation of neglect of a dependent …
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023
Bullet Fired at Dog Injures 17-year-old Girl A man shot at a dog in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a 17-year-old girl who was sitting nearby on a porch, was struck by one of the bullets. The man claimed that the dog was chasing him, and that he fired twice hitting the animal. One of the bullets …
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023
Two Children and Two Hunters Injured in Gun Accidents A 2-year-old in San Antonio, Texas was playing with a 9-millimeter handgun when it fired, shooting them in the face. The child was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and police are continuing to investigate. Walking with her boyfriend near a middle school in Ladson, …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Indiana Juvenile Arrested New Jersey Ongoing Investigation
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023
Deadly Accident While Demonstrating How to Take Apart a Semi-Automatic Handgun and Two Other Deadly Unintentional Shootings Kelsey McDuffie, a 17-year-old from Bulloch County, Georgia died after sustaining an accidental gunshot wound to the back of her head. McDuffie’s 18-year-old friend, Adnan Keelin, was showing her how to disassemble and reassemble a 9mm semi-automatic handgun …
TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023
One-year-old Shot and Killed by Five-year-old Sibling Returning to Indiana, which has seen far too many recent gun accidents involving children, a Lafayette one-year-old was accidentally shot and killed by his five-year-old brother today. According to police, the five-year old gained access to the loaded gun inside their apartment. An adult was home at the …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023
Court Officer and Toddler Injured in Separate Gun Accidents An Elkhart County, Indiana court security officer was hospitalized after his gun accidentally discharged in a local courthouse. The officer, 23-year-old Joshua Troup, was treated at the hospital after his firearm discharged while he was putting it into his holster, striking his foot. His injuries were …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Indiana Ongoing Investigation
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2023
Two Toddlers Shoot Themselves with Loaded Guns Found at Home Grace Rodriguez, age 2, of Portage, Indiana, found a loaded gun in her home and used it to accidentally shoot and kill herself. She was flown to a trauma center in Chicago, but died at the hospital. “The initial investigation shows that the child was …
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2023
Gun accident news once again centers on a child in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is at least the third unintended gun violence incident involving a child in that city already this year. Police report that an Indianapolis eight-year-old is in critical condition at the hospital after she was shot in the stomach in her home. The …
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2023
For the second day in a row, unintentional gun violence killed an Indianapolis, Indiana teenager. In today’s incident, Michael Mason, Jr., a 16-year old, was shot and killed in the parking lot of a local mall when he and a friend mistakenly approached a white Chevy Impala that was identical to his own. When Mason …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2023
James Martin, a 15-year-old, died in Indianapolis, Indiana in an unintentional shooting that occurred at his home. Police have arrested and released a person of interest, who also appears to be a juvenile, after determining that the shooting was likely to have been unintentional. According to the report, “[p]olice said the shooting appears to be …
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022
In Terre Haute, Indiana, a 16-year-old was purportedly unloading a semi-automatic handgun for cleaning and “unintentionally discharged one round” that struck 21-year-old Bryar Laws. Laws was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. There is an ongoing investigation. Source: Sky Christian, “Unintentional Shooting Leads to Death in Greene Co.” mywabashvalley.com (December 19, …
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2022
In Indianapolis, Indiana, a man was cleaning a gun when it accidentally discharged striking a woman in the foot. A 9 mm round was found beneath a window next to a bed, according to the report. In Oak Hill, West Virginia, a man was playing with a gun when it discharged. He struck himself in …
Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Nebraska Ongoing Investigation
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022
An Elkhart, Indiana five-year-old with access to a loaded gun accidentally shot himself in the arm today. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. A police investigation is ongoing. And in Beatrice, Nebraska, a woman was shot by a friend when he was “demonstrating how to stop a hammer from falling in case someone pointed a …
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022
Indianapolis, Indiana is currently undergoing a wave of gun violence. Ten people have been shot and killed in just the first six days of October. The crisis is exacerbated, as usual, by unintended gun violence. A recent Indianapolis news report about four gun violence incidents in less than 8 hours suggests that at least three …
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2022
Malachi Copeland, an Evansville, Indiana first grader, apparently found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the head. Police are investigating his death, and no one has been charged at this time. Malachi’s school issued a statement that included the following: The Joshua Academy school community is deeply saddened by the sudden …
Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022
In Lake County, Indiana, an 8-year old accidentally shot himself to death today. The child was the second in the region to lose his life to an unintended gunshot wound in the last two months, illustrating the urgency in Indiana to enact more effective safe storage and child access prevention laws. According to the report, …
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022
A Muncie, Indiana six-year old shot his five year old sister in the head today with a loaded handgun that he had removed from his parents’ gun safe. The girl died at the hospital. According to the report, the child found the key to the safe and removed the gun while his mother was napping; …
Adult Arrested Adult Injury Alabama Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Illinois Indiana No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Virginia
SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2022
A Kouts, Indiana two-year old died today after finding a loaded gun at home and shooting himself. The boy, Wyatt Luczak, died at the hospital. After a month-long investigation, no charges were filed. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” the prosecutor said. In Baldwin, County, Alabama, a four-year old faces surgery after he …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Ongoing Investigation West Virginia
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022
Kyler Jackson, a South Bend, Indiana 5-year old was accidentally shot and killed by a 9-year old relative today. “We ask that you please respect the family,” the Police Department wrote, adding that the 9-year-old is “trying to recover from the trauma.” Additional details are not available. Colton Jon Shoemaker of Burlington, West Virginia was …
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
Kaden Vera, a 14-year old high school student at Reitz High School in Evansville, Indiana accidentally shot and killed himself today, according to Evansville police. He was found at home with a gunshot wound to the head. The boy’s school released the following statement, “[w]e have sad news to share with the Reitz community. Freshman …
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022
In Middlebury, Indiana, a 10-year old boy accidentally shot his 12-year old sister in the leg with a rifle round. The girl was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No other information was reported. Source: “Police News: Middlebury Girl Accidentally Shot in the Leg,” The Goshen News (January 10, 2022).
Adult Injury Alabama Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2021
In Granite Quarry, North Carolina, a middle school student shot and killed himself when he “mishandled a gun” that he thought was unloaded. At this time, the family has asked for privacy and we ask for everyone to keep the family in thoughts and prayers,” the local police chief said. “We have no further releasable …
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021
15-year old Kamm VanGilder of Jeffersonville, Indiana was riding with a former Jeffersonville police officer when the man’s rifle accidentally discharged and VanGilder was killed. The former officer was not identified. An autopsy has confirmed that the shooting was accidental, but the investigation is ongoing. In an incident at a San Antonio, Texas mall, two …
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
A three-year old and a four year old were injured today by their gun-owning parents’ negligence. This is at least the fourth day in a row that young children were injured in gun accidents. You can track the links to the other stories here. In Houston, Texas, a three year-old was shot in the upper …
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. …
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021
Caiden Hulliberger, age 18, of Angola, Indiana was accidentally shot and killed when he and a friend were handling a shotgun inside a residence. The other boy, also 18, has not been charged with a crime. “Not only was he a loving son but an amazing brother, friend & dog Dad. You couldn’t help but …
MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2021
In the second incident affecting a local child this week, an Indianapolis, Indiana three-year old was struck by random gunfire near his home. He is expected to survive. Police do not know who fired the shot that injured the toddler. No other details are available. Source: “Child Struck by Stray Bullet on East Side of …
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2021
Yet another Indianapolis, Indiana child was involved in an accident with a gun today. In this instance, a two-year old apparently found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself. He is reportedly in critical condition at the hospital. There were two other children in the home at the time. They were released into …
SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021
In Indianapolis, Indiana, a man struggling with a mental health crisis lunged for an officer’s gun while waiting for an ambulance. The gun was holstered at the time of the incident. In the struggle over the gun, the officer was shot in the leg and the man he struggled with was shot in the hand. …
FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021
Children were unintentionally injured in Indiana and Wisconsin today. The Indiana shooting occurred in Evansville, where a parent who was unloading his firearm accidentally shot his own six-year old child in the leg. The round passed through a wall before striking the child. In Milwaukee, an eight-year old was shot. Police are investigating, but have …
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2021
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 …
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021
Day’Shawn Bills, a 12-year old Indianapolis, Indiana boy playing Fortnite was shot and killed today when a bullet passed through a window into his grandmother’s house. The police suspect a drive-by, but have no information about who fired shots or about the intended victim. “I mean it’s just silly for someone to shoot inside a …
Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Ongoing Investigation Texas
MONDAY, MAY 10, 2021
In Saint Joseph County, Indiana, a two year-old found a gun and shot himself. Police say the child suffered multiple non-life-threatening injuries to his right foot, left leg and left hand and is being treated at the hospital. Police did not say how the child found the gun, but they are seeking at least one …
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,” …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, an Indiana State trooper called in a report of a gun accident at his own home. According to the report, the trooper, who was on duty at the time, was notified of an accident involving a 6-year old child. He reported it to authorities and responded personally. The trooper took the …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021
In East Chicago, Indiana, a two-year old found an unattended loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the side of the head. The child was conscious when officers found him, a police deputy reported. Family members told police that the boy had located his father’s gun in the residence and shot himself with …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021
In Indianapolis, Indiana, two people were hurt in a single shooting that police concluded was an accident. One of them was taken to the hospital. No other information is available. Source: “IMPD: 3 Hurt in Overnight Shootings, Including Attempted Robber,” Fox 59 (February 4, 2021).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, a toddler found a gun and used it to shoot his mother. Her injuries are not considered life threatening, but local police are investigating “possible child neglect.” No other information is available. The incident is one of many recent incidents in Indiana in which young children have been involved in serious …
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021
Indianapolis, Indiana police officers working part-time at Sam’s Club responded when they heard a shot fired inside the store. An armed shopper had accidentally discharged a gun and hit a store employee. The employee was grazed by the bullet and was hospitalized after the shooting in stable condition. The customer was not being charged with …
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020
In Richmond, Indiana, a four-year old child was flown to a Dayton, Ohio hospital after suffering an accidental gunshot wound. Police arrested 23-year-old Khylier Childress-Shelby and preliminarily charged him with possession of a handgun without a license and neglect of a dependent. Although the charges are consistent with an incident in which the child found …
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020
Children in Michigan, Indiana and Idaho died in gun accidents today. The Michigan accident occurred in Canton Township. Eight-year old Jack Bennett, an only child, died when a bullet discharged as his father was cleaning a gun. According to his mother, Tammy Snyder, “[i]t was a freak accident. It was supposed to be an unloaded …
Adult Arrested Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Indiana No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020
Four teenagers were accidentally shot today in separate incidents. Three of the teens shot themselves. Two of the incidents, though unrelated, occurred at the same apartment complex in Atlanta, Georgia, just blocks away from where another teen had been accidentally shot last week. In Augusta, Georgia, a 14-year old boy shot himself in the hip …
Adult Arrested California Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Indiana Ongoing Investigation
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020
Two children were accidentally shot and killed today. In Merced, California today, a 5-year old girl was shot and killed by another child who found a loaded and unsecured gun in the home. Her father drove her to the hospital where she died. The girl’s father, Rodney Mathews, left her at the hospital and led …
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020
In Evansville, Indiana, nine month old Iowa Meriweather was accidentally shot in the face and killed by her father. At the time of the shooting, the girl’s father was handling a friend’s gun that he had found in a couch while his friend was out of the room. The situation was initially complicated because the …
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020
Continuing a string of horrific accidents involving Indiana children, a 9-year old South Bend boy was shot today, apparently by his older brother. Tre’von Barnett and a group of neighborhood kids were playing with a gun which went off. Responding police found Tre’von dead in the yard. Investigators are attempting to figure out how the …
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2020
A four-year old Gary, Indiana girl found a gun at 5:00 AM this morning and shot herself in the foot. She is hospitalized in stable condition. Police are investigating the incident as a gun accident and no arrests have been made. Source: David Struett, “Unattended 4-year-old Shoots Self in Foot in Gary: Police,” Chicago Sun …
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020
A two-year old girl who was caught in the crossfire when shots were fired is dead. A girl the police identified only as “Jo Jo” was in a car in Hammond, Indiana with her mother when the incident occurred. Jo Jo’s mother was unharmed. According to police, neither Jo Jo nor her mother had a …
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020
In yet another incident involving an Indiana child, a 2-year old found a gun at home and was shot in the arm. According to police, there was an adult in the home at the time. Others left the apartment before police arrived. The child is in serious but stable condition. Source: “IMPD Investigating 2-year-old Shot …
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020
In Evansville, Indiana, 16-year old Rylan Conway was shot to death in an incident that occurred in a home where a group of kids were playing with a gun. The shooter, 19-year old Eriyon Gibson, says he unloaded the gun, then pointed it at Conway while they were joking around. He asserts he wouldn’t have …
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020
One-year old Javion Sexton of South Bend, Indiana was shot and killed today by his four-year old brother, according to the County Prosecutor’s office. “An autopsy conducted Friday found the cause of death to be a gunshot wound and the manner of death to be accidental,” the office said. Javion’s obituary states, he “liked being …
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020
A woman was seriously injured in a Fort Wayne, Indiana gun accident, according to Fort Wayne police. No other information is available. Source: “Woman Hurt after Accidental Shooting,” Wane.com (June 10, 2020).
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020
A ten month-old Indianapolis, Indiana boy was hit in the knee by a gunshot that passed through two apartment walls. The shot was fired from outside the building. He is recovering at the hospital. Police do not know who fired the shot. Nor do they know why the shot was fired. Source: “10-month-old Boy Shot …
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020
In Allen County, Indiana a man shooting at a varmint accidentally struck his neighbor. Although both parties agree that the shooting was an accident, the neighbor is in serious condition at a local hospital. Source: Kayla Crandall, “County Police: Man Accidentally Shoots Neighbor,” WPTA21.com (May 21, 2020).
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
In Edinburgh, Indiana, a police officer who was cleaning a personal weapon accidentally shot his wife in the leg. According to investigators, he did not know that there was a round in the chamber. The woman is in stable condition at a hospital in Indianapolis. Officers are trained to be careful when cleaning their weapons …
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020
On Thursday night, 20-year old Zion Lofton shot and killed his twin brother Zain in their home in Indianapolis, Indiana. Zion accidentally fired a shot into the floor in his upstairs bedroom and the bullet struck his brother who was downstairs at the time. The police concluded that the shooting was an accident. Zion accepted …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020
In Brownstown, Indiana, a police investigation has determined that a shot was accidentally fired by a man who was handling a handgun in the living room of his home. A bullet from the gun went through the man’s leg and then entered the leg of his 5-year old son. The man was treated and released. …
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2020
A bullet accidentally fired in Chesterton, Indiana, near Gary, passed through two adjoining apartments and narrowly missed a three-year old child. According to a police report, Samuel Duley, a 22-year old, was cleaning his rifle inside the apartment building when it went off. He had removed the gun’s ammunition clip, but “he must have spaced …
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2020
In Bloomington, Indiana, both four-year old Tripp Shaw and his father, Tyler, were shot in the head after the father’s gun accidentally discharged. After several days in the hospital, Tripp died of his wounds. His father was expected to recover. According to authorities, the father and son were play-wrestling on a bed when a gun …
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019
In Evansville, Indiana, Police responded to a call about a woman shooting her husband. Upon arrival at the scene, they learned that the man had been hit, not by a bullet, but rather by a piece of a gun that had exploded. Both husband and wife received treatment at the scene. Deputies determined that the …