A 31-year-old man has been arrested following the accidental shooting death of his toddler son, who gained access to an unsecured firearm at a home on Calvary Drive on the city’s Westside.
On April 20, patrol officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a child with a gunshot wound. Emergency responders transported the child to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
An investigation by the Homicide and Crime Scene Units, in coordination with the State Attorney’s Office, determined that the child had accessed a firearm that was improperly stored and accidentally shot himself.
On May 1, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Task Force, the child’s father was arrested and charged with child neglect and culpable negligence.
Authorities emphasized the legal requirement and life-saving importance of securing firearms in households with children. The investigation is ongoing.
According to HealthyChildren.org, firearms are now the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens under the age of 18. Research shows that about half of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and teens between 2001 and 2021 occurred in the home—often when kids were playing with or showing a gun to someone else. In many cases, the firearm was a handgun accessed from a nightstand or sleeping area.
Hiding a gun is not enough. Kids are curious—and they usually know where firearms are kept.
Gun safes and locks can save lives.
- Use a safe or lockbox to store firearms.
- Gun trigger locks are inexpensive and effective.
- Even if you don’t own a gun, ask about firearm storage in the homes your child visits.
- Teach your children: if they ever come across a gun, they should stay away and tell an adult immediately.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.