3-year-old accidently shoots himself in the chest

Charges against part of ongoing investigation, Sheriff says

  • Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon showed off a gun lock, like the ones it will give away at a May 1 event. (Photo/Osceola Sheriff's Office)
    Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon showed off a gun lock, like the ones it will give away at a May 1 event. (Photo/Osceola Sheriff's Office)

    Osceola County Sheriff’s detectives continue to investigate a shooting that left a 3 1/2-year-old child in stable condition at a home in Poinciana last week.

    Investigators say the boy unintentionally shot himself in the chest Thursday shortly before 3:30 p.m. after accessing the gun in the home on Amber Way and was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. Signs point to the shooting not being fatal.

    “By the mere grace of God, he’s not severely injured,” Sheriff Chris Blackmon said. “Looks like he’s going to be able to recover fully with little damage, but this incident could have easily resulted in a fatal tragedy.” In response to the shooting, On Friday, May 1, the Sheriff ’s Office will host an event where it will give away gun locks that will prevent a gun from being discharged while locked.

    “If you need one now, you can access one on Amazon, and your local hardware store as them for five bucks,” Blackmon said. “You’re child’s life is worth a lot more than five bucks. There’s nothing more devastating than losing a child. When I came on (as Sheriff), one of my main things was to protect kids. This is just another avenue.

    “People have got to be responsible gun owners.”

    Members of the boy’s family were in the home, and they are cooperating fully with the investigation, Blackmon said Friday. More of the information, such as the type of gun and if and what charges will be made, are still part of the ongoing investigation “It wasn’t hard to get to,” Blackmon said of the gun.

    Florida state statutes require gun owners to safely secure guns in locked safes or otherwise away from the reach of minors. Any person who leaves a firearm within the access of a minor can be charged with a misdemeanor charge that upgrades to a felony in the case of a death. The action, or inaction, also falls under child neglect laws.

    Blackmon gave stats that beckoned to gun owners to be more responsible—that Florida saw 71 unintentional shootings involving children, with 24 fatalities.