Reports of Unintended Gun Violence Collected from Media Reports Across the United States
Three-year-old Shoots Self With Mother’s Gun, and Four-year-old Shoots Father In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the three-year-old son of Marqueesha Smith, age 28, shot himself in the leg with her gun. Smith had loaded the gun before she answered her front door. Finding no one there, she returned and put the gun down on the couch next …
Four-year-old Injures Nine-year-old After Finding Loaded Gun A nine-year-old was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot by a four-year-old in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin home. Two woman, ages 22 and 27, were taken into custody on charges pending review by the district attorney’s office. Officials did not release details about how the child found …
Fans Run for Cover When a Security Guard’s Gun Goes Off at a High School Football Game An off-duty security guard accidentally shot himself at a High School football game in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Players and fans rushed for the exits, according to the school. The security guard suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The game, between Wisconsin Lutheran …
Three People Wounded in Accidental Shootings In a farm field in Stone Creek, Ohio, a 12-year-old boy was wounded when a rifle unintentionally discharged after falling off the ATV he was riding. The .22 caliber rimfire bolt-action single-shot rifle, fired a round into the boy’s chest after hitting the ground. He was airlifted to the hospital for …
Two Children Killed in Gun Accidents In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 10-year-old Isdennyeliz Ortiz, was shot and killed while she slept in her bed. She lived with her immediate family on the second floor of a tri-level home occupied by her extended family. A bullet from a gun discharged on the third floor came through Isdennyeliz’s ceiling …
One Dead, Two Wounded in Gun Accidents on Memorial Day In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 21-year-old college student Hunter Nachreiner was accidentally shot and killed by a passenger in his car. Police took into custody the 21-year-old passenger who was handling the gun when it unintentional discharged. No charges have been filed at this time. An accidental shooting at a …
15-year-old is Killed, and Two Others are Injured in Gun Accidents In Fairmont, North Carolina, a 15-year-old was killed when the gun he was handling unintentionally fired. When police arrived at the home, they found the teen dead from a gunshot wound. Both the school district and police released statements expressing sadness about the tragic …
4-year-old Boy Killed in Accidental Shooting Inside an apartment in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 4-year-old Jamero Edwards was accidentally shot and killed. The mayor said a woman told him that Jamero was shot after her 6-year-old got a hold of the gun in her apartment. Police recovered two guns and are investigating. No one has been charged …
One Killed, Two Injured in Gun Accidents An 18-year-old male was shot and killed in an apartment in Carthage, Missouri. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and police say he was accidentally shot by a 20-year-old male. No one has been charged at this time. Handling a concealed carry firearm while getting into his …
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 …
Store Employee Shot While Loading Groceries into Customer’s Car; Two Others Shot and Injured In Linden, Texas, a store employee was accidentally shot and killed while helping a customer load their vehicle. According to the report, Larry Lawrence, an employee of Crump Food Stores, placed a bag in the rear of a customer’s car near …
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 …
Three-year-old Killed by Five-year-old Brother, and Two-year-old Injured by Stray Bullet A 3-year-old toddler died after being unintentionally shot in the face by his 5-year-old brother in Statesville, North Carolina. The two children were playing outside when they got in a car and found a loaded handgun near the front seat. The 3-year-old was airlifted …
Unintentional Shootings Leave Three Children Dead and One Wounded In Mountain Village, Alaska, a young child was killed when another child they were playing with picked up a loaded rifle that was in the home, and unintentionally shot them. The children were playing with nerf guns before the deadly shooting occurred. State troopers were notified; …
Five Injured in Unintentional Shootings Including Three Children A 4-year-old child in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, was injured in what is reported as an accidental shooting. The child was taken to the hospital but the extent of their injuries is not known. The sheriff’s office is investigating. ShaiAnn Coley, 3, was staying with a relative …
Two Children are Injured in Accidental Shootings In Marietta, Georgia, a child was accidentally shot when a gun went off during a struggle between their parents. The child was taken to the hospital, but their condition is not known. Police are continuing to investigate. A shooting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, injured a 5-year-old girl while she …
Stray Bullets Claim the Life of a Woman and Injure Two Others; and a Man Unintentionally Shoots His Friend in the Face Christian Galindo, 31, was struck and killed by a stray bullet inside her home in Yuma, Arizona. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Jose Flores and Mia Dominguez, both 18, were charged …
Two Children and a Man Injured in Accidents with Guns In Racine, Wisconsin, an 8-year-old boy was with his mother when he found a loaded firearm and unintentionally shot himself. They did not live where the incident occurred. The boy was transported to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No other information has been …
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 …
Three People Killed in Gun Accidents Kentrell Pouncey of Calumet City, Illinois, age five, was shot and killed after one of his siblings found a loaded gun somewhere outside and brought it home. Pouncey was at home with his three siblings, all under 15, and his mother at the time of the shooting. Which of …
Two Gun Accidents Today Involving Children In Wendell, North Carolina, a woman was shot inside her home. According to the report, a “youth” accidentally fired the gun and the round passed through a wall before striking the victim. It is not clear how the child got the gun. Milwaukee, Wisconsin police announced that a two-year-old …
Two Adults Unintentionally Shot and Killed; Few Details Reported Two people were unintentionally shot and killed today, but few details were reported In Memphis, Tennessee, Alicia Hamer was arrested and charged after her boyfriend was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head. Hamer told police that she had fired the gun accidentally, but …
Five-year-old Dies in Gun Accident In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 5-year-old Elijo Gonzalez, found a gun and shot and killed himself. Two adults were arrested for leaving the gun unattended. Milwaukee’s Mayor tweeted: “This is extremely upsetting. I can’t fathom any reason why this 5-year-old should be dead. My heart aches for the families of all children …
A three-year-old and a five-year old were shot today in incidents for which limited details are being reported. Leon Walker, Jr., a Birmingham, Alabama 19-year-old, is charged with aggravated child abuse after police said his three-year-old sister was shot in the abdomen. The circumstances of the incident have not been fully reported. It is unclear …
One of the police officers conducting a “welfare check” on a Hobart, Wisconsin resident, accidentally shot himself in the hip while attempting to subdue the man. The incident occurred alongside a highway and closed down all eastbound lanes. The man had pulled over on the side of the road where the incident occurred. The officer’s …
A 44-year-old woman was fatally shot by a 10-year-old playing with a gun in Milwaukee, Wisconsin today. The specific circumstances of the accident were not reported. Neighbors said a boy and his mother were the only people who lived in the home where the accident occurred. “She’s a very sweet lady,” said the neighbor. “Her …
Easton Thom, an 11-year old boy in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, was shot and killed today in an incident that authorities have deemed a hunting accident. Thom was a middle school student. He was flown to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Authorities say the boy was shot in the chest …
A 12-year old Milwaukee, Wisconsin boy found an unattended gun in his home and accidentally shot himself to death. According to police, “a 33-year-old woman was arrested for leaving the gun unattended.” The news release added, “MPD would like to remind the public to secure your firearm with a gunlock and storage it [sic] out …
In South Lake Tahoe, California, 37-year old Julio Rojas Cruz died of a bullet wound to the head. According to police, Rojas’s death resulted from negligent firing of a 9 mm handgun. No further information is available. In Wisconsin, two men accidentally shot themselves, one in Fond du Lac, the other in Milwaukee. Both are …
An Athens, Georgia woman was seriously injured when she was unintentionally shot while lying on a couch in her apartment. According to police, multiple rounds were fired in a domestic violence incident in a neighboring unit. One of the rounds apparently passed through an apartment wall and struck the woman in the back. A Vermont …
The recent epidemic of accidental shootings involving Milwaukee, Wisconsin children continued today when two-year old Ranyla Tharp died at 9:10 AM this morning in a gun incident that Milwaukee police describe as “accidental.” No further details have been reported other than that a 33-yead old woman has been taken into custody. Source: Steven Martinez, “The …
A’Kai Stilo of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, age 3, found a gun in his home and shot himself to death. A 28-year old woman has been arrested in connection with the incident. Milwaukee police said there have been 15 fatal shooting victims ages 18 and younger this year. “I am disturbed by all gun deaths in Milwaukee, …
There were gun accidents across the country today resulting in at least six death or injuries: A person taking part in a gun training for Taylor, Michigan auxiliary police officers was shot in the abdomen and taken to the hospital. He was accidentally shot by another person participating in the training. “The volunteers with Taylor’s …
A Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin man shot himself in the hand while cleaning his gun. His wife drove him to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities point out that “[i]t is always advised to ensure a firearm is not loaded when cleaning it.” It might also make sense to buy a gun with a prominent …
Tanner Graap of Merrill, Wisconsin, age 27, was arrested and charged with “homicide by negligent handling of a firearm by a felon” after he accidentally shot and killed 28-year old Kayla Frank today. Frank was sitting in Graap’s kitchen when the accident occurred. Details in the criminal complaint include that Graap had used heroin before …
Eight-year old Tiana Huddleston or Milwaukee, Wisconsin was shot and killed today by random gunfire. The Acting Mayor of Milwaukee referred to the incident as “mistaken gunfire,” perhaps ignoring that almost all gunfire, other than at practice ranges, is mistaken or worse. He added, “[p]lease, put down the guns. If you have a gun in your …
A 65-year old Minnesota man was shot in a hunting accident in Northwestern Wisconsin today. Rescue workers arrived too late to revive him. No other circumstances of the accident were reported. Source: Associated Press, “Minnesota Man Dies in Apparent Hunting Accident in Wisconsin,” Fox News 11 (November 24, 2021).
Police reported accidental shootings today in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois, two American cities already notably suffering from the ongoing pandemic of gun violence. In Milwaukee, a 69-year old woman was struck by a random round fired outside her home. Her suffered serious injuries, but is in stable condition at the hospital according to a …
Kemar D. Hinton, age 4, of Greensboro, Alabama, shot and killed himself today with a loaded gun he found in his home. “When a tender age child is involved, it’s just near and dear to my heart that we find out the truth. But like I said, based on the evidence we have so far, …
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. …
In LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, the sheriff’s office is investigating an accidental shooting that occured after 1 A.M. at a French Island bar. A man was shot in the leg by another patron he did not know. The circumstances of the accident are unclear. Source: Jourdan Vian, “Police: Accidental Shooting Reported on French Island,” news8000.com (September …
The epidemic of gun violence affecting the nation’s children continued unabated today. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a 6-year old found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the hand. He is in stable condition at the hospital. Also today, at least eleven teenagers were shot and injured in separate episodes of gun violence. …
Three children shot and killed themselves today with loaded guns they found in their homes. In each case, few details were reported. In Smithfield, Utah, a five-old and his family returned from a camping trip on Tuesday night and left their camping gear in a downstairs room. The boy came downstairs early on Tuesday morning …
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 …
Once again, the focus today is on the rash of gun violence affecting American children. Three toddlers were shot in apparent gun accidents today. At least ten teenagers were also killed or injured in eight shootings across the country. Two four-year olds and a three-year old were involved in gun accidents that were barely covered …
For the second time in a week, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin toddler found a loaded gun and shot himself. This time a two-year old is in critical condition. A news report states that a 28-year old woman was arrested in connection with the incident. Just last Saturday, a Milwaukee three-year old found a gun and killed …
A three-year old child in Milwaukee, Wisconsin found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself to death. When the boy’s uncle sought emergency help, a medical assistant who was visiting next door responded. She said the boy’s mother was incredibly distraught. “I can still hear her screaming so I just hope it’s a …
A 14-year old was killed and a 16-year old was injured in separate gun accidents today. The 14-year old died after accidentally shooting himself in a residence on Butter and Egg Road in Madison County, Alabama. There is no reporting about how he got his hands on a gun. He was found dead when paramedics …
The Burnett County sheriff’s department responded today when a Siren, Wisconsin man was shot inside a bar. The Siren police and the St. Croix tribal police also responded. Investigators determined that the shot that injured the bar patron had been accidentally fired in a house across the street. The round apparently pierced both the wall …
A 77-year old Fond du Lac, Wisconsin man accidentally shot himself in the hand while cleaning a gun. Police were alerted by a call from the hospital emergency room where the man was treated and released. Source: “FDL Man Injured In Gun-Cleaning Accident,” KFIZ AM 1450 (March 17, 2021).
An 8-year old boy was accidentally shot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin today inside his home by a bullet fired outside. The report does not include information about the boy’s condition. A 16-year old was later arrested for firing indiscriminately into the home. “If children and women in our city are not safe, nobody is safe,” said …
A Sun Prairie, Wisconsin man was hospitalized after shooting himself in the leg. The accident happened while he was parked in the lot of a Nitty Gritty restaurant. There is an active investigation. Source: Emily Hamer, “Man Hospitalized after Shooting Himself in Leg, Sun Prairie Police Say,” Wisconsin State Journal (January 10, 2021).
As a society, we spend substantial resources trying to prevent accidents caused by drunken drivers. Efforts include ubiquitous public service announcements, enhanced criminal and civil penalties, and legal remedies creating potential liability for those selling or otherwise providing alcohol to inebriated people. Many of these efforts are designed to deter drunken driving by the in …
A Cambria, Wisconsin woman was struck by shrapnel in her home and was flown by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to authorities, the accident occurred as others in her home were preparing to go coyote hunting. Source: Bridget Cooke, “MedFlight Takes Woman from Cambria Residence after Accidental Shooting, Police Say,” Madison.com …
Three children under age 10 shot themselves today. In Chicago, Illinois, three boys left home alone while their father was picking up their mother from the hospital found a loaded gun. One of the boys, a five-year old, accidentally shot his nine-year old brother in the head. The boy, Ashton Lipscomb, died at the hospital. …
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 7-year old boy was accidentally shot on the street. He suffered a non-fatal wound. The shooting was apparently related to an argument in which the boy was not the intended target. Police are investigating. Source: “Milwaukee Police: 7-year-old Boy Shot, Wounded Near 23rd and Locust,” Fox6now.com (April 4, 2020).