Six-year-old Killed in Gun Cleaning Accident; Teen Injured While Playing Around with Gun In Wichita Falls, Texas, a 6-year-old boy died after being accidentally shot in the chest by his father. The child’s father was apparently dismantling the gun to clean it when it discharged, hitting the boy. Police interviewed several people in the home …
Category: Texas
Adult Arrested Adult Injury California Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Illinois Louisiana Michigan No Charges Filed North Carolina Ongoing Investigation Texas
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023
Ten Unintentional Shootings Result in Eight Injuries and the Deaths of Two Children A Ville Platte, Louisiana 3-year-old girl shot herself with an unsecured gun. She was airlifted to Baton Rouge because of the extent of her injuries, where she later died. Nineteen-year-old Nathan Ben was charged with criminal negligence and negligent homicide. Ben was …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Missouri New Jersey No Charges Filed North Carolina Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas Virginia
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023
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 …
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2023
14-year-old Girl Accidentally Shot and Killed by Older Sister Natavia Lewis, age 14, of Fort Worth, Texas, was accidentally shot and killed by her 21-year-old sister today. The two girls had found a gun in a closet at their home. They believed that the weapon was not loaded, but when the trigger was pulled, it …
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023
Two-year-old Killed After Finding Loaded Gun at Home Rio Carrington, an Arlington, Texas two-year-old, found a loaded gun at home and killed himself. He had found the gun in a teenage sibling’s room. No charges are being filed, but there is an ongoing investigation. “It’s always a sad and unfortunate situation when a child is …
Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Ongoing Investigation Texas Washington
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023
Three People Hurt in Gun Accidents, Including Two Children A Fort Bend County, Texas 11-year-old is in the hospital in unknown condition after accidentally shooting himself in the head today. Sheriff’s deputies said they think the shooting happened in the garage of a local home while no one was watching the child. In Quinlan, Texas, …
Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Juvenile Arrested Kansas Ohio Rhode Island Texas
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023
Five Unintentional Shootings Result in Five Injuries At least five people were injured in gun accidents in the United States today. A 13-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio boy was critically injured when a friend shot him in the back. The police incident report indicates that the shooting was accidental, but police continue to investigate and are still …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
Two-Year Old Shoots Herself with Found Gun For the third time in three days, a toddler accessed a loaded gun in their home and a gun accident was the result. In today’s incident, a Fort Worth, Texas two-year-old girl found a gun in a dresser drawer and used it to shoot herself in the chest. …
SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2023
Houston Toddler Shoots Her Four-Year-Old Sister In Houston, Texas, a three-year-old girl found a gun and shot and killed her four-year-old sister. Investigators said, “the preliminary investigation showed that the two children had been inside an apartment with five family members and friends and each of the two children’s parents believed the other was watching …
Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Montana No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas
MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2023
Three Gun Accident Injuries in Three Cities In Wolf Creek, Montana, a 74-year-old man was struck and injured when a round fired while his friend was cleaning a gun. The friend, a 54-year-old woman, said she was cleaning the gun and set it on the table and it fired, striking the man. No charges were …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023
Two Young People Accidentally Shot During Intentional Gun Incidents Two people were killed today in incidents that fall in the complicated legal gray area between intentional and unintentional. A Mercedes, Texas kidnapping incident turned fatal when one of the kidnappers struck the head of the intended victim with the butt of a rifle. The gun …
Adult Injury Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Kansas Kentucky Mississippi No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2023
No Charges to be Filed After 10-year-old Dies in Gun Accident The sheriff in Calhoun County, Mississippi announced that no charges will be filed after Oaklee Brasher, a 10-year-old boy, died in an accidental shooting today. No other information about the circumstances of the incident have been released. Four other shootings resulting in injuries …
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2023
Two Kids Injured in Gun Accidents in the Same Texas County In Kaufman County, Texas, a 15-year-old was target shooting when he accidentally shot himself in the face. He was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. It is unclear if he was being supervised at the time of the accident. Early the next morning, …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Louisiana No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023
Two More Teenagers Killed in Gun Accidents For the second day in a row, two teenagers died in preventable gun accidents. In New Orleans, Louisiana, 15-year-old Tyler Ellis was accidentally shot in his home by another 15-year-old. Less than three weeks ago, Kennedi Belton, a classmate of Ellis’s, was also killed in a preventable gun …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023
Texas Child Dies After Finding Loaded Gun on His Mother’s Nightstand In Wharton, Texas, a three-year-old found a gun on his mother’s nightstand and accidentally shot and killed himself. There is an ongoing investigation, but no other details have been reported. Source: Chloe Alexander, “3-year-old Dies After Accidentally Shooting Himself in Wharton, Police Say,” khou.com …
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023
Two Children Shot as Innocent Bystanders An eight-year-old and a three-year-old were victims of other people’s gun violence today. The eight-year-old, Aacuria Hinton of Greensboro, North Carolina, was shot while sleeping in her bunk bed. The bullet was fired from outside for reasons that police are investigating. Her injuries are considered life-threatening, and she is …
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023
Woman Killed by a Man Demonstrating How to Use a Gun Safely A Fort Worth, Texas woman was shot and killed today by a man who was attempting to demonstrate to her how to use a gun safely. The woman died at the scene. Based on witness statements, police found that the victim and and …
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023 – Child Airlifted to Hospital After Shotgun Accident
A Denison, Texas juvenile was airlifted to the hospital in stable condition after a shotgun accident today. The incident is still being investigated. No details have been released and no charges have been filed. Source: “Juvenile Airlifted After Accidental Shooting, Police Say,” kxii.com (January 17, 2023).
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023 –Gun Cleaning Accident
The Harris County, Texas sheriff announced that a Humble, Texas man was cleaning his shotgun when it discharged inside his apartment. Another man was struck and killed. It is unclear whether charges will be filed. In Andrews, South Carolina, a man fired a pistol when he heard someone entering his home through a window. A …
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023
Once again, when a group of teenagers were handling a gun on the street, one of them died. Lubbock, Texas police say that 15-year old Noah Rodriguez and some other children were handling a gun on the street and it fired, hitting Rodriguez. Police have arrested another 15-year-old boy and charged him with criminally negligent …
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
Alden Guillory, age 21, of Austin, Texas, was showing his friends his new gun when he unintentionally fired it and struck Eric House, age 20, in the neck. House died after being taken to the hospital. According to a witness, Guillory was a “competent” gun user, who was showing his friends how to properly unload …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Arizona California Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Illinois Michigan No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2023
January 1, 2023 does not bode well for gun safety in the New Year because there were too many gun accidents to meaningfully consider, including many that appear to have resulted from celebratory gunfire. Among the reported incidents: In Van Buren County, Michigan, 62-year-old Christopher Toppenberg was charged with murder Wednesday in connection with the …
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2022
Quezariah Jackson, age three, of Kansas City, Missouri, was shot and killed on Christmas Eve. Police have released few details of the incident other than to state that the killing was unintentional and that they are not looking for any suspects. Cesar Montelongo, 53, a Grand Prairie, Texas maintenance worker was found lying on a …
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022
A 17-year-old San Antonio, Texas teen is in critical condition after being shot in the chest by a 16-year-old friend while the two were allegedly “playing with a gun.” According to the report, the 16-year-old pointed the gun at the 17-year-old and said “I’m gonna kill you,” before pulling the trigger. He then called 911 …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Kansas No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022
In Kansas City, Kansas, police are investigating an incident in which a four-year-old boy shot himself after finding a loaded gun. He later died at the hospital. No other details are available. In Memphis, Tennessee, a three-year-old boy is in critical condition after finding and pulling the trigger on a loaded gun. Police say the …
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022
A Houston, Texas 11-year-old was struck in the leg while taking out the trash at his apartment complex. Noe Fernandez, 22, discharged the round that struck the 11-year-old from inside his apartment. Fernandez was arrested and charged with causing injury to a child. Source: Houston Police Department, “Suspect Arrested, Charged in Shooting at 11655 Briar …
Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) New Mexico North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Texas
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2022
At least five people died in unintended shootings in the United States today. In Charlotte, North Carolina, Demario Warren, a four-year-old, apparently found gun in his home and accidentally shot and killed himself. Dayshawn St’Paul Warren, the boy’s father, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. “This isn’t a situation where we are asking the …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Illinois No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022
Eight-year-olds in Texas and Illinois were unintentionally shot and killed by young family members who were handling guns today. In Houston, Texas, an eight-year-old boy was unintentionally shot and killed by his 10-year-old sister who was handling a loaded shotgun. The family is believed to have recently moved to the Houston area from Venezuela. A …
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2022
Cesar Chavez, age 22, of Houston, Texas, believed a shotgun was unloaded when he fired it. He struck and killed his 12-year-old nephew, who was playing with a toy gun at the time of the incident. Chavez has been charged with manslaughter. Source: Moriah Ballard, “Bond Set at $100K for Uncle Who Discharged Gun at …
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022
Two women, aged 64 and 38, were injured when a 75-year-old man accidentally fired a shotgun round at a Texas City, Texas shooting range. According to the report, the man was attempting to clear a gun, when he accidentally fired a round that struck a concrete floor. Shotgun pellets ricocheted and struck the two women. …
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022
At least three accidental shootings were reported today. In Lubbock, Texas, near Texas Tech University, a man suffered “moderate injuries” when he shot himself while attempting to unholster a gun. A man in a Bridge City Texas RV park was struck in the leg random gunfire that came from nearby. He is in stable condition …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Illinois Ongoing Investigation Texas
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
A two-year old Joliet, Illinois child found a loaded gun in a bedroom at his home and shot himself in the head. He is in critical condition at the hospital. The boy’s mother was home at the time of the incident and is cooperating with police. In Grape Creek, Texas, police arrested Mathew South, 32, …
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
Three people accidentally shot and killed others in gun accidents today. Each accident was caused by the shooter’s own negligence but was likely facilitated by faulty gun design. Two of the incidents occurred in vehicles. In Raleigh North Carolina, Barri Rogers, 21, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his friend, Ahmad …
Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation South Carolina Texas Virginia
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
Three children were involved in gun accidents today. The Rhoadsville, Virginia victim was a 7-month old whose injuries are not considered life-threatening. A Columbia, South Carolina teenager who was shooting into a home, inadvertently shot himself in the hand. No other injuries were reported and the boy was arrested without incident. And in San Antonio, …
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 13-year old was shot and injured when a gun discharged while it was in his waistband or pants pocket. No word on how he got the gun. A 31-year old San Antonio, Texas man shot himself in the buttocks when a round he fired in the air apparently returned nearly to earth. …
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022
Police are investigating an incident in which an off-duty Harris County, Texas sheriff’s deputy accidentally shot himself in the chest in his home. No details of the incident have been reported and the deputy’s name has not been released. Source: “Off-duty HCSO Deputy Accidentally Shoots Himself in the Chest at Magnolia Home, Officials Say,” khou.com …
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2022
In Houston, Texas, 17-year old Dominque McCoy was unintentionally shot and killed today. According to authorities, he was shot by another 17-year old, Reginald Smalls, who says he was startled by McCoy and was firing in self-defense. Smalls has been arrested and charged with manslaughter. It is not clear how Smalls got a gun. Source: …
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2022
No charges were filed today after a West Palm Beach man claiming to have “dry-fired” a gun believing it was unloaded, shot and killed his good friend. The 25-year old victim managed to get outside before dying on the stairs. Witnesses told police that a group of six friends were gathered in an apartment when …
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022
At a park in Houston, Texas today, a two-year old boy was able to get hold of a gun and use it to shoot himself in the hand. Police said there were several men sitting at a table in the park. “At some point, one of the men pulled out the gun and placed it …
MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2022
18-year old Tavbey Kucukkarca died of his wounds after being shot by a 15-year old friend in a rural area of Texas. The two were firing guns together when the accident occurred. Tavbey died at the scene despite dispatch of EMS helicopters. Source: Jana Kilcrease, “One Central Texas Teen Dead in ‘Accidental’ Shooting,” Killeen Daily …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Alabama Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Florida Maryland Mississippi No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2022
There were at least five gun accidents involving children across the United States today, four of them fatal. In Forestdale, Alabama, a 12-year old accidentally shot and killed his mother. The child initially made up an implausible story but then admitted his role in the shooting. “This offense is a tragedy for the … family …
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022
In an episode apparently involving celebratory gunfire during fireworks, an 18-year old was struck by a falling round in a Seattle, Washington park. The teen’s injuries were not considered life-threatening. A Brownsville, Texas police officer shot himself in the foot during a “SWAT competition”. The competition involved a hostage rescue, sniper spotter and a team …
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022
Maria Nealy, age 34, of San Antonio, Texas, was sitting on a bed in her apartment playing with a gun according to witnesses, when the weapon discharged. The round passed through a wall and struck and killed April Longoria, age 33, in the next room. Longoria reportedly said “that hurt” before “bleeding out from her …
Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Juvenile Arrested Missouri Ongoing Investigation Texas West Virginia
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022
Four children, aged 16 and under, were unintentionally shot and killed today. In Escambia County, Florida, one-year old Kacey Bass was shot and killed and her two-year old sister was injured by an eight-year old who was playing with his father’s gun. According to the report, the boy took the gun from his father’s closet …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Juvenile Arrested Mississippi Texas
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022
Eric Joseph Adams of D’Iberville Mississippi called police after his rifle discharged “unexpectedly” while he was putting it away. The round tore through the door of a neighboring apartment and struck and killed Stayvia Leone Hood, age 23. Adams was arrested and charged with manslaughter. “It’s just horrible, just horrible,” the local police chief said. …
Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Children and Guns Mississippi Ohio Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania Texas
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2022
At least five children were killed or injured today as unintended consequences of other people’s gun violence. The grim toll: Mariyah Lacy, age 5, of Jackson, Mississippi, was killed when her mother’s ex-boyfriend shot into her mother’s car in an argument over money. Mariyah’s two siblings were uninjured, but her mother was grazed by a …
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022
In Denver, Colorado, a 38-year old man unintentionally discharged a gun which fired and injured his 8-year old son in the next room. The boy is at the hospital, but is expected to survive. There is no report of an arrest at this time. In Houston, Texas, a woman accidentally shot and killed her partner …
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022
Anthony James Madrid, a four-year old Beaumont, Texas boy, found a loaded gun and accidentally shot and killed himself in his home. Several adults and other children were at home at the time of the incident. Police are investigating, but have not yet made an arrest. Local child protection authorities are also involved. “The detectives …
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022
In a complicated scenario, a Houston, Texas teenager, Julio Arnoldo Orsorio Saca, age 18, is charged with murder and aggravated robbery after he accidentally shot his co-conspirator at the outset of a planned robbery. The report of the accident is as follows: Investigators were advised that the deceased male and Osorio Saca were in the …
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2022
Austin Duhon, a Lubbock, Texas teenager was showing his friend, Christopher Stringer, a shotgun while they were watching television together. Duhon believed the gun was unloaded. Somehow the gun went off and Stringer was shot in the waist. At the time of the report, there was no update on Stringer’s condition. Source: James Clark, “Friday …
Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Ongoing Investigation Texas
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022
This page is intentionally left blank in memory of the dead and injured in the Uvalde, Texas elementary school shooting.
Adult Arrested Alabama Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Ongoing Investigation Texas
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022
A four-year old Dutton, Alabama boy accidentally shot and killed himself after apparently finding a loaded gun in an unspecified location. He was airlifted to a hospital where he died of his wound. No further information has been reported. Andre Sharp, a 29-year old Dallas man, surrendered to authorities after unintentionally shooting and killing an …
Adult Arrested Arkansas California Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Idaho Ongoing Investigation Texas
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022
Five more children were killed or injured in gun accidents today. In Katy, Texas, a four-year old boy died after being shot in the head by his nine-year old brother today with his uncle’s Glock. The uncle, Franciso Lupian, had brought the gun into the home and showed the boys how to use it. He …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Juvenile Arrested Louisiana Ongoing Investigation Texas
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022
In Houston, Texas, 18-year old Nariah Champion was accidentally shot and killed by 17-year old Zakorion Batiste, who was playing with a gun. The two were among a group of kids hanging out together. Batiste has been charged with manslaughter and is being held on $50,000 bail. According to the report, if bond is made, …
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022
In Fort Worth, Texas, an 88-year old woman was struck in the hand by a stray bullet fired in a nearby dispute. She was in her home at the time of the incident. The bullet was fired by one of two men engaged in a dispute at a nearby horse stable. No one has been …
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
In Houston, Texas, a Texas Southern University senior was shot and killed in a gun accident today when a gun that his roommate was showing to the victim and a friend went off and struck the victim in the side. The three students believed that the gun was unloaded. No word about whether the gun …
Adult Death California Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Massachusetts Tennessee Texas Virginia
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022
Gun accidents occurred all over the country today. In Henrico, Virginia, a 7-year old found his father’s loaded gun and shot himself. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. The boy’s father, Landin Lewis, Sr., was arrested and charged with allowing his son to access the gun. In Somerville, Massachusetts, a police officer shot himself while …
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
Surveillance footage confirmed that a man accidentally shot himself in the leg in a white Porsche outside a Houston, Texas hookah lounge today. The man was alone in the vehicle in the parking lot of the Hush Hookah Lounge when the incident occurred. According to police, the injured man’s cousin unsuccessfully attempted to drive him …
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022
In Houston, Texas, a man shot himself in the testicles at the St. Regis hotel. He was either unpacking the gun or pulling it from his pants when the incident occurred. Source: John Tedesco, “Man at St. Regis Hotel Accidentally Shoots Himself in Testicles.” Houston Chronicle (March 25, 2022).
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022
A 16-year old San Angelo, Texas boy died from a gunshot wound to the chest suffered when he and other kids were handling a loaded gun. Police are investigating to determine exactly what happened. They have announced that no further information will be released at this time. Source: Matt Trammell, “San Angelo Police Confirm Teen …
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022
Four-month old Jaquari Jones was killed when a group of Lubbock, Texas kids were playing with a gun and it discharged. A 14-year old has been arrested and charged with manslaughter. No report on how the kids obtained the gun, though there is an ongoing investigation. Source: “Teen Arrested After Deadly Infant Shooting,” Everything Lubbock …
Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) New Hampshire Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas Washington, DC
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022
Several types of common American gun accidents were on display today in cities across the country. In Memphis, Tennessee, a man died in an apparent shooting range accident. Two children found loaded guns at home and shot themselves. Again, in Memphis, Tennessee, a toddler is in critical condition after a self-inflicted shooting. Memphis officials say …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022
In Denton, Texas, two friends were drinking and handling a firearm when it went off, injuring one of them. They say they didn’t know the gun was loaded. The injured friend was taken to the hospital and released. Source: Zaira Perez, “Friends Alleged Drinking, Negligence Led to Shooting at Denton Apartment,” Denton Record-Chronicle (March 2, …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022
Today’s story is another example of a gun accident that occurred in the context of a confusing crime scene, this one involving a man confronting a group of children with a gun: In Wichita Falls, Texas, a man grabbed a gun to confront a group of teenagers who he believed were stealing his car. He …
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 …
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022
In Brackettville, Texas, a 19-year old Texas National Guard soldier died in a gun accident today. The soldier, Dajuan Lester Townes, was in a parked car with fellow guardsman when he handed his gun to a soldier sitting behind him. The gun went off, pierced the seat, and struck Townes in the back. Townes was …
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2022
A familiar story from Port Arthur, Texas today where a juvenile had access to a gun. He was playing with that gun in a group of kids when it fired and struck Jordan Reed, aged 18. Reed was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Despite an ongoing investigation, police released the juvenile who fired the …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
A Houston, Texas woman is in critical condition after her boyfriend unintentionally shot her in the neck. He was playing with a gun that he did not know was loaded when it went off. No report on whether the gun had a loaded chamber indicator. At the Seventh Day Adventist Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022
In San Antonio, Texas, police are searching for three suspects who opened fire on a woman that they had been chasing by car. The woman was not injured. Rounds instead struck and killed Paul Wilson, age 47, who was going to his car to go to the grocery store. “He was at the wrong place …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Georgia Kentucky No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation Texas
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022
Three children, aged 4, 7, and 11 were shot and injured or killed when they found loaded guns today. A fourth child, age 14, was shot and killed with a ghost gun he had built. In Lexington, Kentucky, a four-year old was injured in a gun accident that police have determined was accidental. However, the …
Adult Death Alabama Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Ongoing Investigation Texas Washington
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022
Three people were unintended victims of gun violence today, including an off-duty police officer who was mistakenly shot at his home by another officer who mistook him for an armed robbery suspect. In Athens, Texas, an 8-year old was shot in the head with a bullet that came out of a wooded area behind his …
Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Kansas North Carolina Ongoing Investigation Texas
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022
In Granbury, Texas, a one-year old child accidentally shot an infant sibling and their mother in a Walmart parking lot. Both mother and child are expected to survive. The 23-year-old mother of the children “was standing outside of the driver’s door of their vehicle,” according to witnesses. The childrens’ father was behind the truck. “[T]he …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) North Carolina Ongoing Investigation Texas
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2021
A Jacksonville, North Carolina police officer accidentally shot his 15-year old son in the head. The injury is considered life-threatening. Reported details are scarce other than a statement that preliminary indicators suggest that the shooting was accidental. There is an ongoing investigation. Tiffani Tant, age 18 of Gladewater, Texas was accidentally shot and killed by …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Missouri Ongoing Investigation Texas
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021
On the day of Christmas Eve, a two-year and a five-years old were victims of gun accidents. The two-year old killed himself and the five-year old was injured. In Independence, Missouri, the two-year old was handling a gun when it fired. The child was pronounced dead several hours later. Police were initially told that there …
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 …
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021
A 23-year old in Port Lavaca, Texas shot and killed himself today in an incident that police believe was accidental. He and a group of other young men were playing with a gun that had had its magazine removed. Presumably, he aimed the gun at his head without knowing that there was a round in …
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021
A teenager was killed and a young man was seriously injured today by rounds fired from guns that were believed to be unloaded. As always, this raises the question of why guns are manufactured without prominent loaded chamber indicators. Although safety protocols should always include checking the chamber for a live rounds, many gun users …
Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Florida Ongoing Investigation Texas
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2021
From a Facebook post made by the sheriff’s office in Nagadoches County, Texas, we learn today that two young boys were playing in a bedroom with a .380 semi-automatic pistol that had been left unattended. The boys, one ten and the other 13, had been shooting earlier in the day under adult supervision. When the boys …
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021
At least two fatal gun accidents occurred today. In Pineville, Kentucky, Kyle Garrett, a 23-year old 911 dispatcher was accidentally shot and killed while trading guns with another dispatcher. The two men were best friends and cousins who frequently traded guns. According to local authorities, there were protocols in place to prevent non-sworn employees, including …
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2021
Dameon Bates, age 29, of Toledo, Ohio was shot and killed today when he and a friend were “horsing around” with a gun at a party. Bates died at the scene. His friend Mychal Smith, age 30, was arrested and charged with reckless homicide. In a similar incident today in Dallas, Texas, 18-year old Alexandre …
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021
A sixth grader and a 71-year old were killed today in separate hunting accidents. Both were shot by relatives. Daisy Grace Lynn George, age 11, was shot by her father in Hallsville, Texas while he was hunting with a high-powered rifle. Rescuers arrived on the scene, but rescue helicopters were grounded due to poor weather. …
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2021
An innocent bystander in Houston, Texas was accidentally shot and killed today in a 2:00 AM firefight between security guards and a reckless driver. It is unclear if the driver was armed. He was reportedly driving dangerously in a parking lot and had injured two people. The women was killed when security guards confronted …
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021
There were accidental shooting deaths today in Beaumont, Texas, where an 18-year old boy died at home and in Kansas City, Missouri, where a woman died on the street. Few details were reported. And in Clark County, Illinois, a child accidentally shot their father while the two were walking in the woods. Sheriff’s deputies called …
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 …
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021
A Houston, Texas mom sent her ten-year old son and his eleven-year old cousin to retrieve something from her car. The boys found a loaded gun in the vehicle and, while playing with it, the ten-year old was shot and killed. Police are uncertain which of the boys was handling the gun when it went …
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 …
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2021
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey Carter, age 65, was struck in the head and killed by a stray bullet while driving near a local high school. He crashed his SUV off the road at the time of the shooting. A 16-year old boy was also struck in the head by gunfire and taken to the hospital …
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
In Houston, Texas, a man accidentally shot his friend in the abdomen tonight while celebrating the Astros victory over the Chicago White Sox. According to the report, the celebration went “a little too far.” A group of people watching the game told police that they would dry fire their weapons whenever the Astros scored a …
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 …
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021
Two remarkably similar recent incidents in Port Arthur, Texas illustrate the fine line between shootings that police treat as accidental and those that are treated as intentional. When circumstances are murky, a shooter who is forthcoming about how an incident took place appears less likely to be treated as a deliberate actor. In the more …