Mistaken Identity

In Donaldsville, Louisiana, Perry Smith, age 33, shot and killed Trevon Henderson, age 21, who he mistakenly believed was an intruder in his home. A sheriff’s spokesman, said the shooting was a “really unfortunate case of mistaken identity.” Smith was arrested and charged with negligent homicide, among other crimes. Source: David J. Mitchell, “Man Accused …

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020

On the 8th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, at least four children were killed or injured in gun accidents. Three of the incidents involved guns that were found by the children themselves or by other children. The fourth involved a child who was hit by a stray bullet while walking on the street.

In Cocoa, Florida, a two-year old boy was accidentally shot and killed in his home. According to witnesses, several teenage boys were at the home visiting a friend. A 15-year old was “actively displaying a firearm when it discharged,” police said. The toddler was struck when the gun fired. The teenagers were then seen running from the home.

Police are still attempting to find the 15-year old shooter. “We would certainly like the person who had the firearm to come forward,” a police spokesperson said. “If this was an accidental incident, there are ways to deal with that that we can mitigate.”

In Hartford, Connecticut, an eight-year old found a gun and shot himself. He is in critical but stable condition. According to police, “other people were in the home at the time of the incident, but that the child was alone in a room with the firearm.”

In Atlanta, Georgia, a 12-year old boy is in stable condition after an accidental shooting. According to police, “a 12-year-old boy and his 14-year-old brother found a pistol on Sunday. The two boys were playing with the gun and accidentally fired it -- injuring the 12-year-old.”

And in Washington, DC, a nine-year old girl who was walking with a relative near the Anacostia library was struck by a stray bullet. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Sources:

Daniel Dahm and James Sparvero, “2-year-old Shot to Death at Cocoa Home, Police Say,” ClickOrlando.com (December 14, 2020).

Alex Ceneviva, Eva Zymaris, “Hartford PD: 8-year-old in Critical Condition, ‘Appears he Accidentally Shot Himself,’” News 8 WTNH.com (December 14, 2020).

LaPorsche Thomas, “12-year-old Boy Finds Pistol, Accidentally Shoots Himself in SW Atlanta,” 11 Alive (December 15, 2020).

Nick Boykin, “Police: 9-year-old girl shot in Southeast near Anacostia Library,” WUSA 9 (December 15, 2020).

Shattered – The Gun Accident Journal

Tag: Mistaken Identity

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021