On Wednesday, a 3-year-old Florida boy killed himself with a revolver he found on his parents’ nightstand while his older sister babysat him.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office stated that deputies responded to one of the worst calls imaginable near DeLand at 6:30 p.m. It is approximately 35 miles north of Orlando.
Florida Boy Shots Himself Dead
The 3-year-old boy and his siblings, a 16-year-old sister, and an 8-year-old brother were at home at the time. Their identities have not been disclosed. The sister dialed 9-1-1 while yelling, My brother shot himself!
During a press conference on Thursday, Sheriff Mike Chitwood noted, We’re assuming the parents leave the 16-year-old in charge while they go to Publix; they’ve probably done this a million times.
The three-year-old wandered into the bedroom and climbed onto the end table for an incomprehensible reason, which I doubt we’ll ever figure out. He retrieved the firearm, pointed it at himself, and shot himself at point-blank range.
The infant was pronounced dead at a neighboring hospital at 7:03 p.m. local time, Chitwood said, following CPR provided by the first officer on the scene.
The father, according to officials, is a state corrections officer, but the Canik 9MM handgun was not government-issued. The second firearm in the home was a Glock that was stashed on top of the refrigerator. Chitwood stated that the bedroom included an inoperable safe.
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Investigation Still Ongoing
Chitwood noted that under Florida law, no arrests may be made within seven days of an inadvertently shot child.
The State Attorney’s Office was contacted for comment. This should never have occurred, stated Chitwood. This family should not feel like they do. It is painful to listen to a 9-1-1 call as a sister phoning in.
Often, the youngster steals the pistol from their parents or grandparents and then uses it to commit a crime. Firearms have a tendency to draw boys. There is little question that he found one and desired to play with it.
On his warning to parents who do not secure their firearms, Chitwood stated, “I’d like for them to hear that 9-1-1 call. The sister reports that her brother shot himself and is no longer breathing. If you heard that, you would immediately purchase a gun safe.”
Chitwood continued, “It’s a matter of family safety. Spend a few dollars on your family. If you intend to store firearms in your home while children are present, be responsible and acquire a locking mechanism.”
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