4-year-old Kills Self with Father’s Glock; 13-year-old Accidentally Shot and Killed While Playing with Both Nerf and Real Gun In a home in Memphis, Tennessee, a 4-year-old found his father’s loaded Glock 10mm handgun and fatally shot himself in the head. The boy’s father, Vincent Gilliams, told police the gun was in his pants pocket …
Tag: Child Finds Gun in Car
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024
Two Adolescent Boys Injured in Separate Accidental Shootings In New Carlisle, Ohio, a 10-year-old boy with special needs was seriously injured after he found a loaded gun in a car and accidentally shot himself in the chest. He underwent surgery at the hospital and is expected to survive. He was visiting a relative with at …
Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Mississippi New York North Carolina Ongoing Investigation Tennessee
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024
Five People Injured in Gun Accidents, Including a 2-year-old At a gas station in Gulfport, Mississippi, a 2-year-old found an unsecured, loaded gun and shot themself. The child was seriously injured and airlifted to the hospital. It is unclear how the child got possession of the gun, and no other information has been reported at …
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 …
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023
Girl Injured When Loaded Glock Found in Car’s Center Console Accidentally Fires In a car parked at a gas station in West Palm Beach, Florida, a 10-year-old boy found a loaded gun and unintentionally shot an 8-year-old girl in the face. Four children (ages 1–10) had been left in the car when the mother went …
Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Missouri Nevada Ohio
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023
Four People Hurt After Young Children Find Unsecured Guns In Las Vegas, Nevada, a toddler shot themself with a gun found on the playground of a daycare center. Tshaun Rucker, 16, got into an argument with an adult on a public bus and allegedly pulled out and gun and shot the adult. Rucker then left …
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023
Toddler Left Alone in Car Kills Self with Unsecured Gun A 2-year-old boy shot and killed himself while left unattended in a car in Lansing, Michigan. “Both adults exited the vehicle, leaving the child in there with an unsecured firearm,” said the police chief. The toddler was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, but …
Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Minnesota North Carolina Ongoing Investigation
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Two Toddlers are Shot by Siblings with Guns Found in Vehicles The 3-year-old son of a pastor in Morganton, North Carolina, found his father’s gun in the side door of the family van and shot his 2-year-old brother in the head. The 2-year-old, Daniel Vines, is recovering in stable condition after surgery. The family was …
Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Texas
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2023
Teen Accidentally Shoots Sister with Parent’s Unsecured Gun, and Store Clerk Injured by Stray Bullet In Houston, Texas, a 14-year-old girl was accidentally shot in the backseat of a car by her 16-year-old sibling with special needs. The girl was taken to the hospital, but her condition is unknown. The 16-year-old found their parent’s gun …
Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Florida Georgia
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2023
Two Young Children Find Loaded Guns, One is Dead In Lithonia, Georgia, Zayre Daugherty, 7, died after he was shot in the head with an unsecured gun. Zayre and his 6-year-old brother were waiting for their father, Dante Daugherty, in a vehicle at a gas station, when the boys found a loaded pistol that their …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) North Carolina Wisconsin
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023
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 …
Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Missouri No Charges Filed Texas
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2023
Two Children Killed in Gun Accidents In Berkeley, Missouri, 7-year-old Darnell Macon found a loaded gun in his grandfather’s truck and shot and killed himself. His grandfather, 45-year-old Walter Macon, was loading studio recording equipment into his truck when he allowed Darnell into the backseat and told him to climb into the front seat. The …
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 …
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2023
Two More Children Killed in Unintentional Shootings A three-year old Collierville, Tennessee boy, who found a loaded gun while with a family member in a car in a local parking lot, shot himself. He later died at the hospital. Tennessee is a state with notoriously weak gun safety laws. Alea Briones of San Antonio, Texas, …
Adult Arrested Adult Injury Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Connecticut Illinois Louisiana Ongoing Investigation Tennessee Virginia
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023
Nine-year-old Girl Killed by Unsecured Gun and Eight Others Wounded in Unintentional Shootings In Memphis, Tennessee, a 7-year-old boy found a gun in a car’s glove box and accidentally shot his 9-year-old sister, killing her. The gun belonged to James Bowen Jr., his mother’s boyfriend. Bowen is facing multiple charges after allegedly leaving his gun …
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023
Four-year-old Shot A Middletown, Ohio four-year-old shot himself in the abdomen with a loaded gun he found in a car at a local park when his older brother left him alone to get a drink. The boy is expected to survive. Source: Mark Hansel, “Police: 4-year-old Shoots Self at Middletown Park After Picking Up Unsecured …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023
Six-year-old Shoots Grandmother From Backseat of Car In North Port, Florida, a six-year-old girl found a loaded gun in the backseat of a car and used it to accidentally shoot her grandmother who was driving when the incident occurred. The child took the weapon from a holster that was in a pocket on the back …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Georgia Louisiana Massachusetts Missouri No Charges Filed Ongoing Investigation South Carolina
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2023
Six Reported Unintended Shootings Today, Including the Death of an Innocent Bystander Hundreds of people fled a mall in Holyoke, Massachusetts after a fatal shooting inside a nail salon. Kenneth Santana-Rodriguez, who claimed to be firing in self-defense after being confronted by a former boyfriend of his girlfriend, fired two rounds, one of which struck …
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
In Lakeland, Florida, a 12-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed himself after finding a gun at a friend’s house during a sleepover. The boy and his 13-year-old friend were in the garage and found a gun in one of the family’s vehicles. According to the report, there were no adults at home at this time …
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2022
Warren Oser, age 2, of Benson, North Carolina, climbed into the cab of his father’s pickup truck where found a loaded handgun. The sheriff’s office reported that “Oser was able to discharge the weapon, which resulted in injuries to himself.” The toddler later died at the hospital. “The death investigation is considered to be an …
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2022
Isreal Whirley, a St. Louis, Missouri two-year old, found a loaded gun in his father’s car and shot himself in the parking lot of a local auto parts store. He later died at the hospital. According to reports, Isreal found the gun between the center console and the driver’s seat of the car. His mother …
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 …
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022
In Atlanta, Georgia, four-year old Kendall Lewis found a loaded gun in the back seat of her car while her mother was driving on the interstate. She shot and killed herself. Her mother, Kaelin Lewis, was charged with murder. The family remembered Kendall as a “boisterous and lively four-year-old.” She was excited about starting Pre-K. Source: …
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 …
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2022
In Union County, Tennessee, a “small child” found a handgun in their parent’s car and used it to shoot one of their parents. The injured parent was taken to the hospital for treatment. No other details were reported. Source: “Union Co. Deputies: Parent Hospitalized After Small Child Accidentally Shot Them,” wbir.com (July 16, 2022).
Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Louisiana No Charges Filed Oklahoma
TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2022
In Guthrie, Oklahoma, a ten year old found a gun in his home. He shot and killed his 12-year old brother. The boy died at the hospital. There is no report that anyone has been charged in connection with the incident. In New Orleans, Louisiana, 18-year old Zyaire Cornelius was arrested after his two-year old …
FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022
Lynzell Anderson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, age 34, is facing negligent homicide charges after his four year old son found a loaded gun under the seat of the family car and shot himself in the face. The boy died at the scene. Anderson told police he had left his son momentarily unsupervised when he went …
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2022
In Denver, Colorado, police are investigating the shooting of a three-year old who was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle in critical condition. “Investigators said the shooting appears accidental and self-inflicted.” The boy died five days later. It became clear that the accident happened in a parked vehicle. The boy’s mother, Celina Duran, …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Mississippi Ongoing Investigation Pennsylvania
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
14-year old Alexis Pierson, a Port St. Louis, Mississippi middle-schooler was shot and killed in her home by a child who found a loaded gun. One of Alexis’s friends had brought the gun over and did not secure it. When Pierson told the child who found the gun to put it down, the child accidentally …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Children and Guns Illinois Ongoing Investigation Tennessee
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022
A Ripley, Tennessee three-year old found a loaded gun in his home and shot himself in the head. He was found dead at the scene. No arrests have been made, but there is an ongoing investigation. Also today, the father of a Dolton, Illinois three-year old who accidentally shot and killed his mother was arrested …
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022
Four-year old Miyell Hernandez of Lithonia, Georgia, found a loaded gun in his mother’s car while she was at the grocery store and shot and killed himself. Miyell was waiting for her with two other children when the accident occurred. “We talked all the time,” said Miyell’s grandmother, April Griffin. “I never felt that kind …
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 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 …
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2021
A Hendersonville, North Carolina three-year old found a loaded gun on Christmas day and shot herself. She was airlifted to the hospital where she initially was undergoing treatment. A later news story reported that the girl, Aylee Gordon, died at the hospital. Her father, a retired sheriff’s captain, told police that Aylee had found the …
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021
Lehemiah Simon, age 7, of Jeanerette, Louisiana, was accidentally shot in the head and killed by a 15-year old cousin today. He was pronounced dead after being airlifted to the hospital. “Full of hugs. Full of Love. Just as humble as he could be for a seven-year-old,” remembered Minister Carnell Wiles who is Lehemiah’s grandfather. …
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 …
SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021
In Hickory, Mississippi, a three-year old found a loaded gun in the glove compartment of his family car and shot and killed himself while his parents were inviting people to a revival meeting. The boy’s parents were not charged. The local sheriff called the incident a “horrible accident.” No other details were reported. Sources: “Newton …
Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Oklahoma Ongoing Investigation Utah
FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021
Two more children died in gun accidents today, a seven-year old girl and a five-year old boy. In Heber City, Utah, a man who was described as “incredibly intoxicated” fired a gun through an apartment wall. The round struck a seven-year old girl in the next apartment and killed her. Christopher O’Connell, age 34, was …
TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2021
A four-year old and a three-year old apparently found guns and shot themselves to death today. In Colorado Springs, Colorado, a four-year old found a gun in the family car and shot himself in the head. He died at the scene. At the time of the incident, which occurred in a parking lot, the boy’s …
Adult Death Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Kansas Ongoing Investigation Texas
MONDAY, JULY 5, 2021
Adam L. Carroll of Lenexa, Kansas, died today after his friend negligently fired a gun inside an apartment building. The shooter, who was not identified, immediately called 911 and attempted life-saving measures. There is an ongoing investigation. “I just hope it was an accident and, at the end of the day, they just get down …
Alabama Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Illinois Maryland No Charges Filed Oklahoma Ongoing Investigation South Carolina
SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2021
At least three toddlers and two teenagers were injured in gun accidents today. The reported details of most of the incidents are limited or murky. In Birmingham, Alabama, a two-year old apparently shot himself inside a vehicle at a gas station. The news story implies that the child found a gun in the car, perhaps …
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021
A nine-year old Canton, Mississippi child is in stable condition at the hospital after his two-year old sister found a loaded gun in the family truck and shot him in the head. Police say that the children’s parents had gone inside a home and had left the children in their truck unattended. The Canton police …
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021
In Fort Worth, Texas, three-year old Lauryn Barrett found a gun in the door of the family car during a trip to Oakland Lake Park. She fired the gun and killed herself. A witness said he looked out the window of his home to see a family begging for help. “I saw the woman on …
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021
Another Texas child died today in an unintentional shooting after being shot by a child who had found a loaded gun. In Dallas, a 9-year old boy found the gun in a car and shot an 11-year old child who was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The two boys were left unattended in the …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021
In Greenville, North Carolina, an 8-year old boy found a loaded gun in the glove box of his family’s car and accidentally shot himself in the abdomen. He later died at the hospital. A police spokesperson said, “[g]uns can be very appealing to young children particularly children of this age and words cannot express the …
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021
In Elk Creek, Missouri, children playing outdoors got access to a rifle from inside a parked vehicle. A nine-year old was shot and killed by a younger sibling in the incident. “With the age of the child we are talking about I don’t think they can fully grasp the consequences of what has happened,” the …
THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021
In Four Oaks, North Carolina, a child riding in the back seat of a vehicle found a loaded gun and accidentally shot his mother in the face while she was driving. A Sheriff’s deputy called the shooting a “horrible accident” and “not a deliberate act.” The mother was rushed to the hospital, but her injuries …
Adult Death Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Ohio Ongoing Investigation Texas
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021
An 88-year old woman was killed and a three-year old child was seriously injured in separate gun accidents today. In Warren, Ohio, 88-year old Ruth Lewis was planning a funeral with family members when someone shot through a window and killed her. “This was a senseless death caused by a random bullet. Obviously, she wasn’t …
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021
In Ellisville, Mississippi, a four-year old toddler found a loaded semi-automatic pistol in his family car and accidentally shot and killed his two-year old sister. Their mother had left them in the back seat of the car temporarily. The toddler was able to climb out of his car seat and grab the gun. “It’s just …
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020
In Birmingham, Alabama, a 5-year old child was injured after shooting himself in a car with his father’s gun. The boy’s father told police that he left the child in the vehicle while he went back inside, and when he returned “he found the child covered in blood and drove him to the hospital.” He …
Adult Arrested Adult Death Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Ohio Ongoing Investigation Tennessee
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020
Two children under the age of five were involved in fatal gun accidents today. Details are scarce. In Adams Township, Ohio, a four year-old died at the hospital after being shot in the chest. The local Sheriff’s office confirmed that the shooting was an accident. It is not clear who fired the gun and no …
Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Louisiana Ongoing Investigation Uncategorized
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020
A six-year old boy was shot by a sibling while sitting in the parking lot of a Family Dollar Store in Dutchtown, Louisiana. He is in critical condition after being taken by MedEvac helicopter to a nearby hospital . No information is available other than that the siblings were sitting together in a car. Presumably, …
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
In Greenwood, South Carolina, a nine-year old boy found a gun in the center console of the family car today and shot himself. He was taken to the hospital with his parents, where his injuries are not considered life threatening. There is an ongoing investigation, but no arrests have been made. Certainly everyone is lucky …
Child Death (18 and Under) Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Juvenile Arrested Louisiana Michigan Ohio
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
Two deaths today occurred when guns were unintentionally fired by young boys. In both cases an older boy accidentally killed a younger child. Both of the shooters are being prosecuted. In a third incident, two boys were injured after shooting themselves with a gun they found in a car. In Canton, Ohio an 11-year old …
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020
In Hendersonville, Tennessee John Robert Moore, a two-year old boy, found an unattended loaded handgun in his father’s car and shot himself. His father was a volunteer firefighter and the two were visiting the Shackle Island fire station at the time of the accident. “Everybody loved that little boy,” said Martin Bowers, fire chief for …
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020
Two children were injured in gun accidents today. In Panama Beach City, Florida, a toddler found a gun in the family car and shot himself in the stomach. He is recovering at the hospital. In San Antonio, Texas, a 14-year old girl was shot in the chest and arm when she was grabbing something from …
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020
For the second day in a row, a child was shot in a gun accident in Central Alabama. Today, a Fairfield four-year old was shot in the back of a car by a younger sibling. The accident occurred in the parking lot of a local mall. The child remains in critical condition. Police are investigating. …
Child Injury (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) North Carolina Ongoing Investigation Virginia
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020
Two young children gained access to guns today and shot themselves. At a Wawa grocery in Henrico County Virginia, a 5-year old found a loaded gun in a car while her parents were pumping gas at the Wawa. She shot herself in the hand. In Charlotte, North Carolina, a 3-year old was taken from her …
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020
In Tampa, Florida, 17-year old Ivan Johnson died today after being shot with a BB fired from a pellet gun by an eight-year old friend while they were waiting for the younger boy’s father in the father’s car. The BB struck Ivan in the eye. He was taken to a hospital before dying three days …
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2020
In Harvest, Alabama, five-year old Maxton Hughes, the son of a Huntsville police officer, apparently found a gun in the family car and accidentally shot himself in the head. A parent found the child and drove him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. An investigation is ongoing but no charges are expected. “This …
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, an 8-year old found his father’s loaded handgun when his father left him alone briefly in the car while shopping. The boy shot himself in the leg. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Just over a month ago, a Fort Lauderdale toddler also found his father’s loaded handgun …
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
A Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a woman was shot in a parked car when her toddler pulled the trigger on a loaded gun. After being taken to a local hospital, the woman was expected to recover. No further information is available about the circumstances of the accident. Source: Associated Press, “Woman Accidentally Shot by Toddler in …