Because there are 390 million guns already present in the United States, it is clear that the only practical way forward is a relentless focus on preventing gun violence before it happens. Evidence-based suicide prevention programs and well-funded community-based gun violence intervention projects are two prongs of the necessary three-pronged approach. The third is reevaluation …
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GUNS, “SAFE SPACES” LEGISLATION, AND CARS
We recently posted on the likely impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in New York Rifle and Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen on gun safety. In Bruen, the Supreme Court ruled that all “law-abiding” Americans have a Second Amendment right to carry a gun outside the home for self-defense. Several states quickly responded by considering or …
The Bruen Decision: A Preliminary View of What it Means for Gun Safety
The Supreme Court ruled today, in New York Rifle and Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, that all “law-abiding” Americans have a right to carry a gun outside the home for self-defense. This will have very serious implications and, as its most near-term consequence, will likely eliminate existing gun license procedures in at least five states. Perhaps …
A YEAR OF DAILY REPORTS ABOUT UNINTENDED GUN VIOLENCE
Lessons Learned: [note: hyperlinked material shows in dark blue] November 15, 2020 marked the one-year anniversary of Shattered: The Gun Accident Journal. There are now more than 366 daily reports in the archive, categorized by state and tagged for common safety issues. There are also five chronological narratives that illustrate the steady accumulation of family …
CHILDREN AND GUNS
Criminalizing the Negligence of Caregivers May Let Manufacturers Off the Hook It is quite clear from any rational child safety perspective that manufacturers should be discouraged or prevented from designing guns that children can easily fire. Better designs can be achieved with effective external manual safeties, magazine safety disconnects, heavier trigger pulls or trigger designs …
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025
Accidental Shooting at Party Kills 19-year-old At a party in Statesboro, Georgia, Garron Joe Wingate, 19, was killed when a handgun he was handling unintentionally fired. The shooting has been ruled an accident, but the sheriff’s office continues to investigate. From his obituary, “…he excelled on the baseball field as a member of the Packers. His talent …
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025
13-year-old Boy Shot and Killed Thirteen-year-old Jonathan Kazemi died after apparently shooting himself with an unsecured gun found in an Irvine, California home. He didn’t live in the home, but came with another boy to visit with a friend, and it’s unclear if anyone witnessed the shooting. A police sergeant said, “[w]e don’t know at …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025
Four Injured in Unintentional Shootings Today Two young children in South Carolina were injured in separate incidents.A three-year-old in Boiling Springs, South Carolina, shot himself in the shoulder with a gun left unattended. He is expected to make a full recover. The boy’s four-year-old sibling was also in the home, along with their mother who told deputies …
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025
Woman Shot in Stomach Cleaning Gun A woman in an Attleboro, Massachusetts home, was shot in the stomach when a gun she was cleaning accidentally fired. She was taken to the hospital for treatment and later released. Two young children were also in the home when the shooting occurred. No other information was reported, as …
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2025
Toddler Shoots Himself in Hand with Gun Left on Couch A two-year-old boy in Belle Glade, Florida, was taken to the hospital for treatment after shooting himself in the hand with a gun left unsecured. At the hospital, the boy was interviewed by Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and asked about his hand and …
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2025
Man Accidentally Shoots Himself in Thigh In Chicago, Illinois, a 55-year-old man accidentally shot himself in the thigh. He was said to have a valid FOID (Firearm Owner’s Identification) and CCL (Concealed Carry License). No word on his condition. Source: Spot News, X, (March 23, 2025).
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025
Mother Struck by Bullet Sitting in Park with Baby In a park in Lexington, North Carolina, a nineteen-year-old mother was hit in the back by a bullet while sitting at a picnic table. Police say she will be OK, and the police captain noted that “…she had a small child in a stroller nearby her, …
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025
Accidental Shootings Injure Two People A man using an ATM machine in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was shot after getting into an argument with another man waiting there. The man waiting was open carrying a gun, and as the argument escalated, the two men struggled for control of the gun. It fired twice, hitting the man who …
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025
Eight-year-old Dead, Five-year-old Wounded, After Finding Father’s Unsecured Gun In Chicago, Illinois, eight-year-old Josiah Hooker was fatally shot in the head, and a five-year-old was injured, after the boys got a hold of their father’s loaded gun. Derrick Taylor, 32, had left his 9 mm handgun on a TV stand, and was sleeping when the …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025
11-year-old Injured During Fatal Shooting at School Bus Stop While waiting at a school bus stop in Annapolis, Maryland, an 11-year-old boy was injured, and 36-year-old John Simms Jr. was killed, when 31-year-old Roscoe Jerome Jones shot Simms multiple times. According to a witness, Jones shot Simms in response to an argument that started between …
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025
Young Children Injured in Two Gun Accidents Today In Greenville, Texas, a three-year-old girl was seriously injured after she was accidentally shot in a parked car. She was in the vehicle with her mother, when a .22 caliber rifle discharged striking the little girl in the head. She was taken to the hospital with life-threatening …
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025
Man Unintentionally Shot Through Wall by Next-door Neighbor In an Akron, Ohio apartment, a 28-year-old man was shot in the chest by a bullet that came through his wall from a neighboring apartment. His injuries are considered non-life-threatening. It was determined that his 22-year-old neighbor, Lagreer Surles, was handling a gun that unintentionally fired. He …
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2025
Eight-year-old Boy Killed in Gun Accident At home with other family members in New Haven, Connecticut, an eight-year-old boy was killed in an accidental shooting. The boy was found by police lying on the kitchen floor with a gunshot wound, and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Detectives recovered a firearm, and continue to …
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2025
Nine-year-old Boy Injured After Finding Unsecured Gun A nine-year-old boy was accidentally shot during a struggle for a gun inside a home in Chicago, Illinois. A man tried to take away the gun the boy had gained access to, when it fired. The boy was shot in the leg and taken to the hospital in …
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025
Gun Cleaning Accident Seriously Injures Teen A 16-year-old boy in Walterboro, South Carolina, was injured helping someone clean a gun that unintentionally fired. The teen was struck in the thigh, breaking his femur. He was taken to a trauma center for treatment. Police are investigating. Source: Tim Renaud, “Walterboro Teen Seriously Injured in ‘Accidental Shooting,’ Officials …
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2025
Man Injured in Gun Cleaning Accident A 21-year-old man in a Madison, Wisconsin apartment, accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun. He was taken to the hospital in unknown condition, and issued a citation for discharging a gun. Source: Corey Moen, “Man Cited After Shooting Himself While Cleaning His Gun on Madison’s East Side,” channel3000.com (March 17, …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
Two-year-old Shot by Twin A two-year-old in Hampton, Georgia, was injured after being shot by their twin. The toddler was airlifted to the hospital, and is in stable condition. There is an open investigation into the shooting, with no charges filed at this time. Source: “2-year-old Accidentally Shot by Twin in Henry County Home, Police …
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
Six-year-old Injured After Finding Semi-automatic Gun in Glovebox While a six-year-old boy waited for his mother in a parked vehicle in Summerville, South Carolina, he found a semi-automatic handgun in the glovebox and accidentally shot himself in the leg. He was in the passenger seat of a vehicle with two other siblings while their mother …
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025
Gun Accidents Injure Two in Memphis A seven-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in a home in Memphis, Tennessee, and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Little information was reported, and no charges have been filed. And a man lying on a bed with a friend in Memphis, Tennessee, was accidentally shot when his dog …
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2025
Two Teens Struck in Gun Accident; One is Killed Inside a residence in Aurora, Colorado, two 15-year-old boys were struck, when a gun one of them was playing with unintentionally discharged. A third, uninjured teen, drove them to the hospital. One of the boys died there, the other teen who had the gun, sustained minor …
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2025
Man Accidentally Shot Himself in the Leg The sheriff’s office is investigating the accidental shooting of 31-year-old Lucio Romero-Ortiz, in a home in Ukiah, California. Romero-Ortiz was intoxicated, and allegedly fired the gun several times outside the home before entering it. A woman and her two-year-old were in the home, and near Romero-Ortiz when he accidentally …
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025
Three-year-old Boy Shot in Ohio According to his mother, a three-year-old boy was injured after shooting himself in the arm in an apartment in Columbus, Ohio. He is in stable condition at the hospital. His mother also identified 23-year-old Aaron Hughes Jr., as someone who was in the apartment, but left with the gun before …
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025
Woman Killed, Toddler Severely Injured in Gun Accidents A two-year-old was severely injured after shooting themselves in the calf with an unsecured gun in St. Louis, Missouri. Roderick Miller and Taiesha Campbell have been charged with child endangerment, armed criminal action, and evidence tampering. Miller and Campbell gave police conflicting statements about the circumstances, and …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025
12-year-old Girl Recovering, Retired Fire Captain Killed, in Accidental Shootings Twelve-year-old Mariska Salter, was accidentally shot in the head by a 16-year-old boy with a shot gun, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She will have a long recovery in the hospital due to her injuries; her older brother is the owner of the gun. The county is …
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025
31-year-old Firefighter Killed in Accidental Shooting Kaleb Barker, a 31-year-old devoted family man and firefighter, died in an accidental shooting in Ringgold, Virginia. He was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to his torso. The sheriff’s office will finalize their conclusions about the case, once they receive the medical examiner’s report. Barker joined the fire …
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2025
One Man Dead, One Injured, in Unintentional Shootings Today In Denver, Pennsylvania, a man was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He accidentally shot himself in the hand while cleaning his gun. And a man was killed in a shooting that appears to be unintentional in Petersburg, Virginia. Detectives interviewed witnesses, and …
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2025
18-year-old Injured Taking Apart a Gun According to a probable cause statement, an 18-year-old in Chillicothe, Missouri, accidentally shot himself while trying to disassemble a gun. Before the shooting, the victim and Colin Andrew Reed-Allen were posing for photos with the gun while drinking alcohol and consuming marijuana. Kaliah Nichole Wilson who was present, originally …
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025
Three People in Texas Injured in Accidental Shootings A 19-year-old in San Antonio, Texas, shot himself while driving home. No other details were reported and no one has been charged. In Corpus Christi, Texas, a 17-year-old boy was injured when the gun he was handling unintentionally discharged. He was taken to the hospital in serious condition, but is expected …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025
Five-year-old Girl Shot and Killed by Younger Brother A five-year-old girl was shot and killed by her three-year-old brother in a home in Henderson, North Carolina. The girl’s grandmother, who was not present during the shooting, said five children lived in the home, and described her granddaughter as “a girlie girl.” “Her youngest brother got ahold …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2025
18-year-old Killed in Accidental Shooting An 18-year-old man was killed in an accidental shooting in Moses Lake, Washington. It was determined that the victim and a 22-year-old man were playing with a gun that discharged. No further information was reported, as police continue to investigate. Source: Flverson, “Moses Lake Accidental Shooting Leaves 18-year-old Dead,” fox28spokane.com (February 28, …
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025
Toddler Killed After Finding Loaded Gun at Home A three-year-old boy found a loaded, unsecured gun in his Tucson, Arizona home, and fatally shot himself in the head. His father, 23-year-old Anthony Noriega, told police that he “keeps all the firearms loaded with a round in the chamber” all around the home, acknowledging that they were …
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025
Teen Unintentionally Injures Himself With Gun in Waistband Near a mall in Lynnwood, Washington, a 15-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the groin with a gun he was carrying in his waistband. He tossed the gun to a 13-year-old friend who was with him; the gun discharged again, but struck no one this time, and …
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025
Two Men Injured in Self-inflicted Gun Accidents Police are investigating an accidental shooting in Springfield, Massachusetts that injured one man. It appears that he shot himself unintentionally, and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. And in Baltimore, Maryland, a man shot himself while running from police. He took off when he was approached by police on patrol, and …
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2025
Three People Killed in Unintentional Shootings In Cuthbert, Georgia, 16-year-old Tyrae Campbell was killed in an accidental shooting that also injured a second, unnamed person. According to Tyrae’s mother, the 19-year-old charged in the shooting, Kyle Gilbert, was her son’s best friend. Gilbert was charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of reckless conduct. Though Gilbert’s father …
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025
Teen Accidentally Shoots Himself During Facetime Call with Cousin In Elyria, Ohio, a 15-year-old boy accidental shot himself while talking to an older cousin in Cleveland on Facetime. The 15-year-old was tapping his head with a silver and black handgun; the gun fired and the cousin lost sight of the boy when he dropped the …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Four-year-old Dies After Finding Gun Under Car Seat Four-year-old Chosen Morris, from Davenport, Florida, found a gun under a car seat in the family’s vehicle, and shot himself in the head. He was airlifted to a hospital in Orlando, but died the following day. The family was planning to go out for pizza that evening. …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
11-year-old Boy Accidentally Shot Himself In a home in St. Paul, Minnesota, an 11-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the finger and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He originally told police that he was shot by an unknown person while walking home from a rec center. Two guns were recovered from the residence, …
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025
Man Shoots Self, Walks to Bank for Help An elderly man accidentally shot himself in the hand in his Carson City, Nevada home, then walked to a local bank looking for help. Officials responded, and the man was airlifted to a trauma center for treatment. No update on his condition was reported. Source: Jeff Munson, “Carson …
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025
Unsecured Guns Found by Children: Two-year-old Killed, Four-year-old Injured In a Port St. Lucie, Florida home, two-year-old Kaydin Florissant was with his mother in the master bedroom when he found a gun and fatally shot himself in the head. Police determined that the fiance of the boy’s mother owned the 9 mm handgun used. The …
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2025
Man Shoots Self Hiding Gun During Traffic Stop While trying to hide his gun during a traffic stop in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a driver accidentally shot himself in the leg. The man had an active warrant for second degree domestic violence. Officials recovered the gun, and the man was taken to the hospital. He may …
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2025
15-year-old Fatally Shot by Younger Sibling A 15-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed by a younger sibling in their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their father was also at home and called the police. No arrests have been made, but there is an ongoing investigation. And a man in his 20s accidentally shot himself at …
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2025
17-year-old Killed in Accidental Shooting In a home in Queens, New York, Deaza Barkley, a 17-year-old high school cheerleader, was accidentally shot and killed. A 16-year-old boy was playing with the gun when it fired. The gun’s serial numbers were scratched off, making it difficult for investigators to determine who owned it. The 16-year-old was …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025
Two People Injured in Gun Accidents In Mount Sterling, Ohio, a hunter was found with wounds to their hand and foot from an accidental shooting. The sheriff’s office is investigating. And in a Rochester, New York home, an 11-year-old boy accidentally shot himself while handling a gun. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Two-year-old Boy Critically Injured After Shooting Himself Few details were reported about the accidental, self-inflicted shooting of a two-year-old boy in Memphis, Tennessee. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police did not say how the boy accessed the gun, or if they planned to make any arrests. Source: “2-year-old Boy Accidentally Shot …
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
Off-duty Agent Shoots Student, Mistaking Water Gun as Real In Yulee, Florida, an 18-year-old high school senior was shot by an off-duty official who thought the student’s water gun was real. The injured student is expected to be OK. The school superintendent had sent a letter to parents two days before the shooting, warning them about the …
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
11-year-old Boy Injured Playing with Gun In St. Augustine, Florida, the bullet from a gun fired by 13-year-old ricocheted, hitting an 11-year-old boy. The two children were playing with the gun in a wooded area when the 11-year-old was accidentally shot. He was taken to the hospital with not life-threatening injuries. No charges have been …
MONDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2025
Two-year-old and Father Injured in Accidental Shooting With Pistol Found in Mother’s Purse At home in Springfield, Ohio, a two-year-old boy was injured after he found his mother’s purse that contained a semi-automatic pistol. He brought the purse from the kitchen table to the living room; the gun accidentally discharged, striking him, and grazing his …
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2025
12-year-old Girl Accidentally Shot and Killed A group of teens playing with guns had gathered in a home in Chicago, Illinois. A 14-year-old boy dropped one of the guns; it discharged, fatally striking 12-year-old Dalilah Batey in the head. Dalilah, a seventh grader, was about to turn 13 in two weeks. Her mother said she …
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2025
Five-year-old Girl Killed by Stray Bullet In Americus, Georgia, five-year-old Peyton Brielle Roberts was playing with other neighborhood children, when she was fatally struck by a stray bullet from a shooting nearby. The shooting also killed a 19-year-old male, and injured a third victim. Police charged 19-year-old Ricky Martin with felony murder, aggravated assault and …
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025
Actress and 15-year-old Boy Hurt in Gun Accidents Today In Austin, Texas, 40-year-old actress Christy Carlson Romano, was shot in the face while on an outing to celebrate her husband’s birthday. They were shooting clay pigeons, when another member of their party accidentally shot Romano. She was hit by pellets near her eye, and was …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
Loaded Glock Found by Child Fires; Killing Five-year-old and Injuring Woman An unsecured 9mm Glock found by a child in a home in Inglis, Florida, accidentally discharged, killing another child, a five-year-old, and critically injuring a woman. Both victims were airlifted to a trauma center, though the five-year-old did not survive. Detectives are investigating. Source: …
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
Teen Accidentally Shoots and Kills Himself In a home in Alliance, Ohio, a 17-year-old killed himself when a gun he was handling accidentally discharged, striking him in the head. He was with four friends when the shooting happened, and was pronounced dead at the hospital. A police spokesman said that drugs and alcohol may have …
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025
Person Injured After Being Shot by Two-year-old According to the sheriff’s office, a two-year-old child accidentally shot a person in Dillon, South Carolina. The victim was treated and released from the hospital. No further information has been reported. Source: “Two-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Person,” dillonnews.org (February 5, 2025).
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025
Man Kills Himself Playing With Modified Glock A man shot and killed himself in Tucson, Arizona, playing with a Glock handgun modified to shoot like an automatic weapon. His friend, Hermando Montano, age 20, was with him when the gun discharged, and then fled the scene and tried to hide the gun. Montano has been …
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2025
One Man Killed When Two Men Play with Guns In Kearns, Utah, two men playing around with guns ended when 23 year-old Dylan Treichel sustained a gunshot wound to his chest, and later died at the hospital. Ashton Johnathon Mann, age 23, told police he and Treichel had smoked marijuana and were handling two different guns. …
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2025
Teen Killed When Juveniles Mishandle Gun Few details were reported about an accidental shooting that killed a 16-year-old boy in Greenacres, Florida. Police determined that several juveniles were handling a gun that unintentionally discharged; one of them was charged with second-degree murder with a firearm, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is ongoing. Source: Grace …
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2025
Laundromat Owner Shoots Himself in Struggle with Burglar The owner of a laundromat in Duenweg, Missouri, was shot in the hand with his own gun during a struggle with a man he caught burglarizing his business. His injuries were not life-threatening. The suspect fled the fled the scene, but was later arrested by police on …
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2025
Two Unintentional Shootings in Vehicles, One Man Dies In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 23-year-old Dylan Wade and another man were in a vehicle, when the man accidentally shot Wade in the shoulder. Wade died at the hospital a short time later. The suspect said he was playing with the pistol and didn’t realize it was loaded. The …
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2025
Two Children Wounded After Finding Guns Left Unsecured In Toledo, Ohio, a 13-year-old boy had a gun in his pants pocket that fired when a 12-year-old boy tried to remove it. The 13-year-old was injured, and went to the hospital for treatment. The boys were left unsupervised in the home of 27-year-old Jocelyn M. Benton, …
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025
Girl Shot Herself in Hand With Unsecured Gun A young girl in Opelousas, Louisiana, shot herself in the hand while playing with a gun, and is recovering at the hospital. There is an ongoing investigation to determine how she accessed the gun, and if anyone will be charged. Source: “Child in Opelousas Shot Herself in …
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025
Two Injured in Unintentional Shootings A seven-year-old girl was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, after being accidentally shot in a home in Ellisville, Mississippi. It appears that a gun held by a family member accidentally discharged. No further information has been reported. While investigating multiple vehicle burglaries, police found a teen accidentally shot …
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2025
Two Fatal Gun Accidents in Illinois In Waukegan, Illinois, 28-year-old Leobardo Diaz was accidentally shot and killed inside a vehicle. He was shot in the back by 31-year-old Fredi Aquilar Carrasco, who walked away from the scene, and then fatally shot himself in a yard nearby. There were four people in the vehicle; the two …
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025
Two Children Accidentally Kill Themselves With Unsecured Guns In Radcliff, Kentucky, a six-year-old boy fatally shot himself in the head, after he found a loaded gun under a pillow in the family bed. He was airlifted to the hospital where he died. Damarco Callen, age 26, admitted that he put the gun there, and left to take …
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2025
Two Young Children Find Unsecured Guns and Shoot Themselves; Teen Accidentally Shoots Sibling in Hunting Accident A two year-old boy shot himself in the foot with a gun he found under a bed at home in Harvey, Louisiana. The boy is listed in stable condition at the hospital. Detectives charged the boy’s 18-year-old uncle, Leland Washington with cruelty to …
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025
Seven-year-old Girl Shot and Killed by Sibling In a Kannapolis, North Carolina home, a seven-year-old girl was shot and killed by a sibling, with a gun owned by their mother’s boyfriend, 39-year-old Timothy Burris. Burris lived with them in the home, and he has been charged with child abuse inflicting serious injury, storing a firearm …
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025
Juvenile Critically Injured in Accidental Shooting Police said it’s very likely the shooting of a juvenile in a Vicksburg, Mississippi home was accidental. The injured teenager was shot in the neck, and airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. Three young men were hanging out together “in the confines of a friend’s home with a …
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025
One Person Accidentally Shot in Vehicle A person suffered non-life-threatening injuries after an accidental shooting in their vehicle in Troy, Texas. According to police, the person was trying to re-holster their gun when it discharged. Source: Jacob Wallin, “One Person Injured in Accidental Shooting in Troy, Police Say,” kcentv.com (January 21, 2025.
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025
Second-grader Shot and Killed by Stepdad In Geneva, Wisconsin, eight-year-old Michael Meagher was accidentally shot and killed by his stepfather, 52-year-old Steven Merkel. The mother of Michael’s best friend set up a GoFundMe account. “Our family is heartbroken…My son loved his friend.” In a statement to detectives, Merkel said that he got a 9mm handgun …
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025
Eight-year-old Airlifted to Hospital After Accidental Shooting An eight-year-old child was airlifted to the hospital after being accidentally shot in Bledsoe, Kentucky. No update on the child’s condition was reported. Officials are investigating the shooting, and 34-year-old Andrew Sundberg has been charged with wanton endangerment. Source: Corey Elam, “8-year-old Flown to Lexington Hospital, Alabama Man Charged …
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2025
Five-year-old Girl Killed, and Two Other Young Children Injured in Accidental Shootings A five-year-old girl was at home with a sibling in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, when she was shot and killed. No adult was home at the time. The sheriff’s office has determined it was an accidental shooting, and continue to investigate. A three-year-old in Grand Rapids, …
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2025
Driver Unintentionally Shot by Passenger During Traffic Stop In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 21 year-old Cameron Knighton accidentally fired his gun in a vehicle that police had pulled over for a traffic violation. He was in the car with the driver and another passenger, and had unintentionally shot the driver who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Knighton initially …
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025
Three Accidental Shootings Today A man accidentally shot himself in the parking lot of an elementary school in Hampton, Virginia. He was found in a vehicle with non-life-threatening injuries and taken to the hospital. The man was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, and reckless …
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025
Teen Accidentally Shoots Himself Unloading Mother’s Gun In a parking lot in Rome, Georgia, a 17-year-old accidentally shot himself in the leg with his mother’s pistol. He removed the gun from a backpack, and was trying to unload it when it fired. Police do not intend to file any charges. Source: Adam Carey, “Report: Teen Shoots …
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025
Innocent Bystander Struck by Bullet Walking Home From Work Walking down a street after work in Brooklyn, New York, 32-year-old Alia Abdul-Raheem was struck by a stray bullet that came from a car that drove past her. She was in shock at first and hurried home, where she realized she had been shot and went …
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025
Teen Accidentally Shoots and Kills Older Brother A 15-year-old in his home in Texas City, Texas, accidentally shot and killed his 17-year-old brother, Joshua Gonzales. The boys’ father collapsed and died trying to save Joshua. Few details were reported about the shooting. The district attorney’s office will determine if any charges will be filed. In …
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025
Two Men Shoot Themselves in Separate Accidents During a road rage incident in Houston, Texas, a man shot himself in the arm while confronting the other driver. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and was charged with aggravated assault. And in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, a 20-year-old man was reassembling a handgun when he accidentally shot himself …
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2025
Three Gun Accidents Today In Louisville, Kentucky, a ten-year-old girl was taken to the hospital with a graze wound “from what appears to be an accidental discharge from a gun,” according to police. Little information about the incident was reported. In Wichita, Kansas, a man was injured when his gun accidentally discharged while wrestling with a teenager. No one …
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2025
Unintentional Shootings Injure Two Teenagers In Channelview, Texas, a 15-year-old was handling a gun that unintentionally fired, sending a 16-year-old to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. The two juveniles, and a third teen, were playing video games in a room that also contained an airsoft gun and a …
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025
Legally Blind Man Accidentally Shoots Friend During Confrontation With Roommate In Spokane, Washington, 53-year-old Dan D. Phelps accidentally shot his friend Joey Anselmo in the leg, while Anselmo was trying to help Phelps evict his roommate. Phelps, who is legally blind, fired a gun at the roommate’s door, but accidentally hit Anselmo. Phelps told police …
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2025
Two People Injured in Gun Accidents A man sustained non-life-threatening injuries after accidentally shooting himself in the hand in Syracuse, New York. Few details about the shooting were reported. And a 24-year-old woman was shot by a member of her hunting party in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. She was treated for her injuries; officials are …
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025
Man Shot and Killed During Police Chase Adam MacLean, age 50, was killed after leading police on a foot chase after crashing his car in Round Rock, Texas. MacLean fled into a wooded area and began shooting at officers and a drone the police deployed. During an exchange with the department’s SWAT team, one officer …
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2025
One-year-old Child Shoots Self in One of Three Accidental Shootings Today Two brothers were accidentally shot in a home in Houston, Texas. Nineteen-year-old Andres Rosales was pronounced dead at the scene, and 17-year-old Jose Juan Angel Rosales was in stable condition with a gunshot wound to his leg. Their parents, and two friends of the brothers were in …
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2025
Six-year-old Kills Himself with Unsecured Gun Left in Car Six-year-old Major Smith shot and killed himself with an unsecured gun he found inside a car in Lakeland, Florida. He had returned home from shopping with his father and adult brother, and they all exited the vehicle. While his father was on the phone, Major went …
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2025
Three People Hurt in Unintentional Shootings In Bloomington, Illinois, an 18-year-old male was injured after he accidentally shot himself with a handgun. When police arrived, a 19-year-old male was trying to leave the scene with the gun before police apprehended him. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment, and the 19-year-old was taken into custody. …
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2025
Decorated Soldier Accidentally Shot and Killed by Husband In West End, North Carolina, Rachel Loken died at the scene after being accidentally shot in the chest by her husband Christopher Loken. According to the sheriff’s office, she was in a different room than her husband when she was struck, and though it has been reported …
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025
Gun Accidents Injure Four People Two people sitting on a couch, watching television in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were injured when one of them retrieved a gun from a bag and the gun unintentionally fired. He was hit in the left hand and the other person was hit in the arm and knee. They were taken to …
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2025
People Across the Country Struck by Celebratory Gunfire on New Year’s Day Three people are killed in Florida when people fire guns to celebrate the New Year. In Miami, ten-year-old Yanelis Munuguia was watching fireworks with her family in the parking lot of their apartment when she was struck in the head by a stray bullet. She …
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2024
Two Men Hurt in Accidental Shootings While putting groceries into a vehicle, a 22-year-old man accidentally shot himself in the face in a parking lot in San Antonio, Texas. His injury was not life-threatening. Police are investigating. And two friends were drinking alcohol in an apartment in Clovis, California, when one of them took out …
MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2024
Man Killed Clearing Firearm at Gun Range, and Woman Accidentally Shot by Husband At a gun range in Fort Worth, Texas, a man was killed trying to clear his malfunctioning firearm. The gun unintentionally fired striking him in the forehead. He died at the scene. Police are investigating, but say it appears to be “purely …
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2024
Toddler Dies After Shooting Himself In Deer Creek, Minnesota, three-and-a-half-year-old Rudy Sweere fatally shot himself in the head with an unsecured gun. There were other people in the home at the time of the shooting, but few details have been reported. The incident is under investigation, and it is unclear if anyone will be charged. …