Facts About Toy Guns
Recent Events/Facts List: Click Here
•On June 26, 2019, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the foot in Danville,
Kentucky. The toddler was being taken care of by his grandfather when he found an
unsecured gun in his house. Assuming it was a toy, the toddler picked it up and
accidentally pulled the trigger. (https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Toddler-
accidentally-shoots-self-in-Boyle-County-511824241.html)
• On June 25, 2019, 4-year old Ayden Robinson was accidentally shot and killed by 3-
year old in Memphis, Tennessee. The two were playing when they discovered a gun
inside a dresser drawer. The 3-year old picked it up assuming it was a toy and
accidentally pulled the trigger. (https://wreg.com/2019/06/25/man-charged-with-
reckless-homicide-after-four-year-old-killed-in-apparent-accidental-shooting/)
• On June 21, 2019, 2-year old Keyton Stuber accidentally shot and killed himself in
Greenville, South Carolina. The toddler went through his mom’s purse when she came
back from work and found a Glock pistol. Thinking it was a toy, Keyton picked it up
and pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the face.
(https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2019/06/21/family-
gripped-grief-over-shooting-death-toddler-it-accident/1526384001/)
• On May 29, 2019, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot himself in Des Moines, Iowa. The
boy found an unsecured gun in the car and thinking it was a toy, picked it up and shot
himself in the shoulder. (https://www.kcci.com/article/police-4-year-old-shot-while-
playing-with-gun-in-car/27633901)
• On May 26, 2019, the 3-year old son of a Brownwood officer accidentally shot himself
in the head in Brown County, Texas. The child found an unsecured gun in a nightstand
and assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/crime/report-3-year-old-son-of-brownwood-
police-officer-accidentally-shoots-himself-in-head/2058671196)
• On May 17, 2019, 4-year old Tyler Burnett accidentally shot and killed himself in Little
Rock, Arkansas. The boy found an unsecured gun in his house and thinking it was a
toy pulled the trigger. (https://katv.com/news/local/man-arrested-after-child-dies-from-
self-inflicted-gunshot-wound)
• On May 14, 2019, 3-year old Chrisaiah Arrington accidentally shot and killed himself in
Jackson City, Michigan. The boy found an unsecured gun that belonged to his mom in
his house. Assuming it was a toy, he picked it up and accidentally caused it to
discharge. (https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2019/05/14/chrisaiah-
arrington-jackson-toddler-shoots-self/3664667002/)
• On May 13, 2019, a 1-year old toddler accidentally shot him/herself in the head while
playing with an unsecured 0.380 caliber gun. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler picked
it up and pulled the trigger. (https://abc11.com/deputies-1-year-old-shot-in-head-while-
playing-in-parents-bedroom/5297402/)
• On May 12, 2019, 4-year old Evan Sun accidentally shot and killed himself in Toledo,
Ohio. The boy found an unsecured gun that belongs to his father who serves as the
state trooper. Assuming it was a toy, the boy pulled the trigger.
(https://www.foxnews.com/us/4-year-old-dies-after-finding-gun-from-dad-a-state-
trooper)
• On May 11, 2019, a 7-year old boy accidentally shot his 3-year old sibling in DeKalb
County, Georgia. The boy found his grandmother’s black and pink handgun in a shelf,
and assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger in curiosity.
(https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/toddler-allegedly-shot-by-older-child-in-
dekalb-county/85-dbf536be-875c-4959-a096-3575092ee028)
• On May 7th, 2019, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the foot and grazed his
chest in Bellevue, Wisconsin. The toddler got a hold of an unsecured gun in his house
and thinking it was a toy, fired a roll. (https://fox11online.com/news/local/2-year-old-
shot-in-brown-co)
• On April 21, 2019, a 2-year old girl accidentally shot herself in the foot in Jacksonville,
Florida. The toddler found an unsecured gun in a bedroom and accidentally pulled the
trigger while playing with it. (https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/jso-2-year-old-
girl-shot-in-the-foot-off-e-44th-street/941859333)
• On April 16, 2019, a 2-year old boy in Colombia, Kentucky, was accidentally shot by a
5-year old. The two children found an unsecured Kel-Tec P-32 pistol in an unlocked
truck. Assuming it was a toy, the 5-year old picked it up and accidentally caused it to
discharge. (https://www.wbko.com/content/news/2-year-old-Adair-County-boy-
accidentally-shot-in-head-508644691.html)
• On March 27, 2019, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot himself in Oakland, California.
The boy was visiting a friend’s house with his mom when he found an unsecured gun
under the bed. Assuming it was a toy, he pulled the trigger and shot himself in the
head.(https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/03/27/small-child-shot-in-head-oakland-
home/)
• On February 22, 2019, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in Pulaski County,
Arkansas. The toddler discovered an unsecured gun that was left behind by a guest,
and assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger. (https://www.fox16.com/news/local-
news/pcso-2-year-old-shot-in-the-arm-friday-night/1803483005)
• On February 16, 2019, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in his right arm in
Phoenix, Arizona. The boy found an unsecure gun in his father’s house, and mistaking
it for a toy, he pulled the trigger. (https://www.azfamily.com/news/man-arrested-after--
year-old-accidentally-shot-himself-at/article_63f67ae8-3955-11e9-9ed5-
9ffe1e9b7cef.html)
• On February 9, 2019, 2-year old Jaden Piedra accidentally shot and killed himself in
Jacksonville, Florida. The toddler found an unsecure gun while visiting a friend’s
house and mistaking it for a toy, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.ajc.com/news/national/year-old-boy-accidentally-shoots-himself-dies-
mother-says/7OcdSpbVZGCdVwFvoCzygP/)
• On February 8, 2019, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the arm in Houston,
Texas. While visiting his father, the boy found an unsecured gun under the bed and
assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2019/feb/nr190211-4.htm)
• On February 3, 2019, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot his pregnant mother in
Seattle, Washington. While watching a movie with his mom and her boyfriend, the boy
retrieved an unsecured gun between the mattress and the boxspring. Mistaking it for a
toy, the child pulled the trigger, shooting his mom in the face.
(https://www.cbs17.com/news/national-news/boy-4-accidentally-shoots-pregnant-
mom-in-face-after-finding-gun-under-mattress/1753489237)
• On January 31, 2019, a 2-year old accidentally shot himself in Miami-Dade, Florida.
The toddler found an unsecure, loaded gun on the bed, and mistaking it for a toy,
pulled the trigger.
(https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article225393875.html)
• On January 7, 2019, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in Greensville County,
South Carolina. The boy found an unsecured gun in his car, and assuming it was a
toy, pulled the trigger. (https://www.wspa.com/news/1-hurt-in-shooting-on-new-bruce-
road-in-greenville-co/1690838933)
• On December 29, 2018, a 2-year old accidentally shot his 6-year old sister in the chest
in Atlanta, Georgia. The toddler got a hold of his father’s illegally possessed gun, and
assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/breaking-6-year-old-girl-shot-police-
say/896192429)
• On December 10, 2018, a 2 year old boy accidentally shot himself and his 7-year old
brother in Pagedale, Missouri. The toddler found an unsecured gun in his parents’
backpack, and thinking it was a toy, accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article222987635.html)
• On December 8, 2018, a 3-year old accidentally shot her 8-month old sister in the face
in a hotel at Gallup, New Mexico. While the parents were in the bathroom, the two
children found an unsecured gun (possibly left by a previous occupant) and assuming
it was a toy, the 3-year old pulled the trigger. (https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-
news/3-year-old-shot-baby-while-adults-were-in-the-shower/5174230/)
• On December 4, 2018, a 2-year old boy and his 4-year old brother accidentally shot
themselves in their hands in Wichita, Kansas. The two children found an unsecured
gun while visiting a friend’s house, and thinking it was a toy began playing with it until
it discharged. (http://www.kake.com/story/39592891/wichita-police-2-children-shot-
while-playing-with-handgun-1)
• On December 1, 2018, a 2-year old accidentally shot his mother in the back in
Shreveport, Los Angeles. The toddler found an unsecured gun in his house and
believing it was a toy, began playing with it. (https://www.ksn.com/news/local/2-
children-shot-while-playing-with-gun-in-south-wichita-home/1640842495)
• On November 29, 2018, a 4-year old accidentally shot herself in the stomach in
Algiers, Los Angeles. The girl found an unsecured gun while her mother was asleep
and thinking it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/crime_police/article_e1759540-
f462-11e8-bb78-9397f56be3fd.html)
• On November 18, 2015, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in
Jonesboro, Georgia. The toddler snuck into his father’s room and found an unsecured
handgun under the pillow. Mistaking it for a toy, the toddler, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/toddler-dead-after-accidentally-shooting-
himself-gun-found-under-pillow-n936971)
• On November 8, 2018, the 3-year old son of a Camden police officer shot and killed
himself in Camden, Arkansas. The boy found a loaded gun when the father was in
duty and the mother was in the bathroom. Thinking it was a toy, he picked it up and
accidentally caused it to discharge. (https://www.ajc.com/news/national/boy-dies-after-
accidentally-shooting-self-authorities-say/hImAR7JMEUwXWCLFZy5szN/)
• On November 7, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in Baker’s
City, Oregon. The toddler found an unsecured gun in his house and thinking it was a
toy, picked it up. He caused the gun to discharge and shot himself in the head.
(https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/crime/investigators-baker-city-2-year-old-
accidentally-shot-himself/277-612220116)
• On November 6, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in Clinton,
Missouri. The boy pulled the trigger while playing with gun that he found in his kitchen
and believed to be a toy. (https://fox4kc.com/2018/11/06/4-year-old-boy-dies-after-
accidentally-shooting-self-with-gun-in-clinton/)
• On October 27, 2018, a 2-year old in Evansville, Indiana, accidentally shot herself
while playing with a 0.45 caliber gun. The toddler found the unsecured gun in the
bedroom and thinking it was a toy, picked it up to play with it.
(https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/crime/2018/10/29/evansville-police-search-
witness-child-self-inflicted-shooting/1811046002/)
• On October 25, 2018, a 4-year old boy was shot in the shoulder by his 2-year old
brother in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two children were at home when the toddler found
an unsecured gun in their house. Believing it was a toy, the 2-year old picked it and
pulled the trigger. (https://news3lv.com/news/local/it-wasnt-his-fault-friends-of-father-
defend-accidental-shooting-of-son)
• On October 25, 2018, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in
Logansport, Indiana. The toddler accompanied his father on a job related visit to a
homeowner’s house where he found an unsecured gun. He picked it up mistaking it for
a toy and accidentally pulled the trigger. (https://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-
news/cass-county/3-year-old-dies-after-accidental-shooting-in-logansport)
• On October 10, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the face in
Louisville, Kentucky. The boy found a stolen gun under a bed in his house and
assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger. (https://www.wdrb.com/news/crime-
reports/year-old-man-arrested-in-connection-with-louisville-toddler-s/article_f9112797-
972f-5d95-a09f-e671843f82db.html)
• On September 27, 2018, a 2-year old accidentally shot and killed himself after finding
a gun in his house in Rusk, Texas. The toddler and his 1-year old brother wandered
into the bathroom where the former picked up a gun, thinking it was a toy, and pulled
the trigger. (http://www.kltv.com/2018/09/28/cherokee-county-sheriff-year-old-dies-
accidental-shooting/)
• On September 24, 2018, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in
Warrenville, South Carolina. The boy found a gun in the hall of his house and
assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger. (https://www.aikenstandard.com/news/more-
information-released-on-fatal-shooting-of--year-old/article_90fae2ac-c1c0-11e8-9964-
6b754775dd03.html)
• On September 17, 2018, a 2-year old accidentally shot and killed herself upon finding
a gun in his house in Livingston, Louisiana. The toddler climbed a counter to find his
mother’s unsecured gun, and assuming it was a toy a toy, pulled the trigger.
On August 28, 2018, 3-year old Tyree Ryder Flint accidentally shot and killed himself
after finding a gun in his house at Baltimore, Maryland. Shaquil Malquan Griffin, the
owner of the gun, left the gun loaded in his room, when the boy took it to play and
accidentally shot himself in the head.
(http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-co-toddler-firearm-death-
charges-20180831-story.html#)
• On August 21, 2018, a 3-year old boy was accidentally shot by his sibling in the throat
at his house in Iaeger, West Virginia. The children were playing with a gun they found,
and thinking it was a toy the elder of the two accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.bdtonline.com/news/mcdowell--year-old-shot-in-neck-by-another-
child/article_a0227e4a-a639-11e8-974d-ffae513bbdb2.html)
• On August 19, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the chest after
finding an unsecured gun while staying at Sterling Inn in Clive, Iowa. The toddler found
his father’s gun in a luggage and assuming it was a toy pulled the trigger.
(https://whotv.com/2018/08/19/2-year-old-shoots-himself-with-fathers-gun/)
• On August 13, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the stomach after
finding an unsecured gun at his house in Detroit, Michigan. While unattended, the
toddler found a 9mm gun under a pillow and thinking it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/2-year-old-boy-hospitalized-after-
shooting-self-with-father-s-gun-on-detroit-s-east-side)
• On July 25, 2018, a 5-year old boy accidentally shot a 2-year old at home in Samson,
Alabama. While his mom was cleaning the bathroom, the 5-year old climbed a cabinet
and got a hold of a 0.32 caliber gun and thinking it was a toy, began playing with it.
While doing so, he accidentally pulled the trigger and shot his sibling.
(http://www.wsfa.com/story/38707210/south-al-child-2-shot-in-the-back-by-another-
child)
• On July 21, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot and killed his 2 y/o cousin sister
in Muscoy, California. The boy found his grandfather’s gun laying around in the house
and thinking it was a toy began playing with it. In the process, he accidentally pulled
the trigger and shot his cousin sister in the chest.
(https://fox6now.com/2018/07/23/police-2-year-old-child-shot-in-foot-by-brother-in-
milwaukee-father-arrested/)
• On July 11, 2018, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in his house in San
Antonio, Texas. The boy found a gun in a holster that was attached to a bed. Thinking
it was a toy, he began playing with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.ksat.com/news/police-investigating-reported-shooting-on-nw-side)
• On July 9, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in his house in
Houston, Texas. The toddler found his father’s 9mm pistol in the bathroom and
thinking it was a toy played with it. In the process, he accidentally pulled the trigger
and shot himself in the head. http://abc13.com/police-2-year-old-died-from-self-
inflicted-gunshot-wound/3727697/)
• On July 7, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot himself at a suite in Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina. The boy found a gun in his mother’s purse and thinking it was a toy,
began playing with it. He accidentally pulled the trigger and shot himself in between
the eyes. (https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/4-year-old-gets-gun-from-
moms-purse-shoots-himself-myrtle-beach-police/83-571790616)
• On July 7, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in his home in
Richmond County, Georgia. The 4-year old got a hold of an unsecured gun and
thinking it was a toy, began playing with it. He accidentally pulled the trigger and the
bullet struck him. (https://www.wjbf.com/news/csra-news/4-year-old-boy-dies-in-
accidental-shooting/1288994182)
• On July 3, 2018, a 5-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself while camping in
Hartville, Montana. When the mother and her boyfriend left the 5-year old and his two
siblings at the care of a neighbor camper, the boy found a shotgun in the camper and
began playing with it. In the process he accidentally pulled the trigger and shot
himself. (https://www.ktts.com/news/local-news/child-5-dies-after-accidental-shooting)
• On July 2, 2018, a 6-year old boy accidentally shot by his 8-year old brother in
Saucier, Mississippi. The elder boy found his grandfather’s 0.22 caliber gun in a
dresser with no lock. Thinking it was a toy, the 8-year old began playing with it and
while handing it over to his brother, accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.wlox.com/story/38558695/6-year-old-shot-by-8-year-old-brother-
hospitalized)
• On June 26, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in Monett, Montana
after finding his parents’ gun in the passenger seat of their car. The toddler woke up
earlier than his parents, wandered into their attached garage and got a hold of the
gun. Thinking it was a toy, he accidentally pulled the trigger and the bullet struck his
head. (http://www.joplinglobe.com/news/update-monett--year-old-fatally-shot-himself-
with-loaded/article_01731c74-7960-11e8-bdb3-4f167621710c.html)
• On June 23, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in Oakdale,
Louisiana, after finding his father’s unsecured 0.4 caliber gun in his bathroom.
Thinking it was a toy, the boy began playing with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.americanpress.com/news/local/boy-shot-after-finding-loaded-
gun/article_6d1c0f5e-788d-11e8-b1cd-3fe2d3385336.html)
• On June 5, 2018, a 6-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in
Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The boy found a gun in a bag with a video game and
thinking it was a toy, accidentally pulled the trigger while playing with it.
(http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/news/local/boy-dies-from-accidental-
gunshot/article_19e1ea83-44e2-5940-8197-438a856b31ae.html)
• On June 4, 2018, a 4-year old girl accidentally shot herself in her house in Flint,
Michigan. The girl went to grab a toy and instead grabbed the gun that was stored in
the same closet. Thinking it was a toy, she began playing with it and accidentally
pulled the trigger. (https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/flint-parents-charged-after-4-
year-old-girl-finds-loaded-gun-shoots-self)
• On June 1, 2018, a 6-year old boy was visiting his grandfather in Opelousas, Los
Angeles, when he found a gun and accidentally shot himself. Thinking it was a toy, he
started playing with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.klfy.com/news/local/opelousas-police-investigate-a-shooting-involving-a-6-
year-old/1212893182)
• On May 28, 2018, a 5-year old boy in a Comfort Inn and Suites at Smyrna, Georgia,
accidentally shot his brother in the face. The boy found an unsecured gun in his
mother’s bag that she stole and thinking it was a toy, accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.myajc.com/news/crime--law/brother-shot-year-old-the-face-mother-
charged/dIg3E2JaOfTcwccBnnV5vM/)
• On May 26, 2018, a 2-year old boy in West Valley City, Utah, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The toddler was able to find his father’s unsecured gun and thinking it
was a toy, pulled the trigger on himself.
(https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900019888/toddler-who-shot-self-in-head-
dies.html)
• On May 22, 2018, a 4 -year old boy in Louisa County, Virginia, found a gun and
accidentally shot and killed his 2-year old brother. The boy picked up the gun and
began playing around with it when he accidentally pulled the trigger thinking it was a
toy. (https://www.wsls.com/news/virginia/4-year-old-virginia-boy-shot-killed-his-2-year-
old-brother-while-playing-police-say)
• On May 8, 2018, a 3 year old boy in Detroit, Michigan, found a gun in his house and
accidentally shot himself in the stomach. Thinking it was a toy, the boy began playing
with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2018/05/08/police-boy-3-
shot-east-side-home/590228002/)
• On May 5, 2018, a 4 year old boy in Richmond, Virginia, found a gun in his house and
accidentally shot and killed himself. While the mom was asleep, the boy found a gun in
a closet, and thinking it was a toy accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.wric.com/news/local-news/henrico-county/4-year-old-boy-henrico-boy-
killed-in-accidental-shooting/1165701777)
• On May 4, 2018, a 3 year old boy in Walterboro, South Carolina, found a gun and
accidentally shot and killed himself. The boy found a gun in the kitchen of a trailer and
thinking it was a toy, he accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.live5news.com/story/38129908/walterboro-mother-demands-justice-after-
3-year-old-son-killed-in-accidental-shooting)
• On April 21, 2018,a 4 year old boy in Millsap, Texas, found a handgun in house and
accidentally shot himself. When the boy found the unsecured gun he thought it was a
toy and pulled the trigger. (http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-
worth/article210766019.html)
• On April 18, 2018, a 3-year old girl accidentally shot her six week pregnant mother in
Merrillville, Indiana. The girl was left in the car with her brother and mom, when she
found an unsecured 9mm handgun and accidentally pulled the trigger while thinking it
was a toy. (http://www.wafb.com/story/37982145/girl-3-shoots-pregnant-mother-with-
dads-gun)
• On April 11, 2018, a 2 year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the left in Summerville,
South Carolina. The toddler found a loaded gun in the car and thinking it was toy,
pulled the trigger. (https://www.postandcourier.com/news/summerville-father-arrested-
after--year-old-son-finds-gun/article_023eb11c-3dcf-11e8-873c-676ead8f5af9.html)
• On April 3, 2018, a 5 year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 7-year old brother in
St. Louis, Montana. The 5-year old boy was looking for candy in a drawer when he
came across a gun that he believed was a toy. He accidentally pulled the trigger while
playing with and shot his brother in the head.
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/04/03/a-5-year-old-
looking-for-candy-found-a-gun-instead-then-fatally-shot-his-
brother/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6ab825a8dd71)
• On March 28, 2018, a 2 year-old boy was shot by his 4-year old sibling in Jennings,
Los Angeles. The 4-year old child found a loaded 9mm under the cushions of his
couch and thinking it was a toy accidentally pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the
toddler in the abdomen, but fortunately only grazed a bone.
(http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crime_police/article_3edbf7aa-338f-
11e8-a19e-03ca37f869f6.html)
• On March 22, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot his 1-year old brother in Hull,
Georgia. The 2-year old found an unsecured semi-automatic gun in a bedroom and
thinking it was a toy, he accidentally pulled the trigger.
http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/9480-1-year-old-transferred-to-
Egleston-following-accidental-shooting.html)
• On March 12, 2018, a 2 year-old accidentally shot and killed his 1-year old brother in
Mobile, Alabama. The toddler found an unsecured 9mm in the bedroom and thinking it
was a toy, pulled the trigger. (http://www.newsweek.com/2-year-old-fatally-shot-1-
year-old-brother-accidental-shooting-123-child-843166)
• On March 10, 2018 a 3-year old boy accidentally shot his 9-year old cousin in
Chicago, Illinois. The boy found a gun in his house and picked it up to play with as he
believed it was a toy. (https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/girl-accidentally-shot-by-3-
year-old-cousin-in-east-garfield-park/)
• On March 6, 2018, a 3 year-old accidentally shot himself in the hand in Cartersville,
Georgia. The 3-year old was left alone in the car with four other children when he
found an unsecured gun. Thinking it was a toy, he picked it up and accidentally pulled
the trigger. (https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/left-car-with-loaded-gun-year-old-
shoots-himself/omMsypMmu8lWV9dRAH2ntK/)
• On February 20, 2018, a 4-year old in Moulton, Alabama, accidentally shot and killed
himself. The boy managed to reach a gun stored in a high place in his house, and
started playing with it. Unfortunately, he pulled the trigger, shooting himself.
(https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alabama/articles/2018-02-21/police-
alabama-boy-4-fatally-shot-self-playing-with-gun)
• On January 27, 2018, a 4-year old boy in Texas City, Texas, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The boy found an unsecured gun in his house when he was under the
care of his grandmother. Mistaking it for a toy, the boy pulled the trigger, shooting
himself. (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas/articles/2018-01-27/4-year-
old-boy-dies-in-accidental-shooting-at-texas-home)
• On January 25, 2018, a 4-year old boy in Vernal, Utah climbed a shelf to find an
unsecured loaded gun. Mistaking it for a toy, he accidentally pulled the trigger,
shooting himself in chest.
(https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46246807&nid=148)
• On January 25, 2018, 3-year old Jonnie Colon, accidentally shot and killed himself in
Fort Worth,Texas. He discovered an unsecure gun and thinking it was a toy, pulled the
trigger. (http://foxsanantonio.com/news/nation-world/3-year-old-boy-found-gun-and-
shot-himself-family-tells-police)
• On January 4th, 2018, a 3-year old child in Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, found a gun in
the front yard and picked it up thinking it was a toy. In doing so, the child accidentally
pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the leg. (http://www.wafb.com/story/37195491/3-
year-old-accidentally-shoots-self-with-stolen-gun)
• On December 28, 2017, a 4-year old boy shot and killed himself in Bibb County,
Alabama. The boy found an unsecured gun and mistaking it for a toy, pulled the
trigger. The bullet struck his face and the boy was later pronounced dead.
(http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2017/12/4-year-
old_boy_killed_after_ac.html)
• On December 19, 2017, a 5-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the hand in
Chicago, Illinois. The boy found an illegally purchased gun in his father’s bedroom,
and caused it to discharge after mistaking it for a toy.
(http://www.wate.com/news/5yearold-chicago-boy-shot-in-2016-shoots-himself-in-
hand/884541091)
• On December 7, 2017, a 6-year old girl was accidentally shot by her 10-year old
brother in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The brother found a 0.40 caliber gun in his house
and mistook it for a toy. While playing with it, he pulled the trigger, shooting his sister
in the chest. (http://abc27.com/2017/12/07/police-investigating-reported-shooting-in-
harrisburg/)
• On December 6, 2017, a 3-year old boy in Detroit, Michigan, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The toddler was left unattended when he found a gun in his house.
Thinking it was a toy, he started playing with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/police-say-3-year-old-boy-fatally-shot-on-
detroits-east-side-was-playing-with-gun)
• On December 5, 2017, a 5 -year old boy in Anchorage, Alaska, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The boy found an unsecured gun in his parents’ nightstand, and thinking
it was a toy, pulled the trigger. (http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/5-year-old-child-
found-dead-from-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-police-say-462098633.html)
• On December 4, 2017, a 3 year- old boy accidentally shot himself in Elroy, Wisconsin.
The boy found his father’s gun, who is a police officer, and thinking it was a toy, pulled
the trigger.
(http://www.wiscnews.com/juneaucountystartimes/news/local/article_ffc78273-db48-
5844-8e04-562f7fdee28d.html)
• On December 3, 2017, a 3-year old boy found a gun in an apartment in Louisville,
Kentucky. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler picked the gun up but accidentally caused
it to discharge. The boy suffered non life threatening injuries. (https://www.courier-
journal.com/story/news/crime/2017/12/03/3-year-old-boy-shoots-himself/917403001/)
• On November 26, 2017, a 3-year old girl found a gun in her house in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. The toddler was left alone with her grandmother who left the gun
unsecured. Thinking it was a toy, the girl picked the gun up and accidentally shot
herself in the leg. (http://www.fox29.com/news/police-3-year-old-shot-inside-
kingsessing-home)
• On November 14, 2017, a 3-year old in St. Cloud, Minnesota, was rushed to the
hospital with a self inflicted gun injury. The toddler found an unsecured gun in his
house and picked it up thinking it was a toy. He accidentally pulled the trigger and shot
himself.
(http://www.fox9.com/news/st-cloud-toddler-shot-gun-storage)
• On November 13, 2017, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in St. Cloud,
Minnesota. The boy was able to reach an unsecured gun in his house, and mistaking it
for a toy, pulled the trigger. (http://www.fox9.com/news/st-cloud-toddler-shot-gun-
storage)
• On November 13, 2017, a 3-year old and his family were looking for a car in a used
car lot in Louisville, Kentucky, when he found a gun in one of the cars. Thinking it was
a toy, the toddler picked it up and accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting himself.
(http://www.wdrb.com/story/36833459/3-year-old-boy-in-serious-condition-after-
shooting-himself-in-the-head-near-jeffersontown)
• On November 11, 2017, a 3-year old, in Memphis, Tennessee, found an unsecured
gun and shot and killed her 1-year old sister. The children were left alone in a
bedroom with a gun on the bed. The elder sibling began playing with the gun as she
thought it was a toy and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36813231/infant-shot-in-critical-condition)
• On November 10, 2017, a 2-year old in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, found a 9mm shot
and killed himself. Mistaking it for a toy, the toddler picked the gun up and accidentally
pulled the trigger. (http://6abc.com/2-year-old-boy-dies-after-shooting-in-
olney/2623845/)
• On November 3, 2017, a 3-year-old in Arnaudville, Los Angeles, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The boy found a 9mm gun in his uncle’s house and mistaking it for a
toy, he picked it up and accidentally shot himself.
(http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crime_police/article_c53dd7ce-c0cf-
11e7-9798-fbd77137f14b.html)
• On October 10, 2017, a 3-year old boy found an unsecured gun in his house in
Jackson, Mississippi. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler picked the gun up and
accidentally shot himself in the stomach.
(http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/36567281/3-year-old-in-critical-but-stable-
condition-after-shooting-self)
• On September 28, 2017, a 3-year old toddler in Detroit, Michigan found a gun at his
babysitter’s house. Not knowing that the gun was real, the toddler pulled the trigger
shooting two other 3-year olds.
(https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2017/09/28/dearborn-
shooting-toddler/712101001/)
• On September 28, 2017, a 2-year old toddler in Virginia found a gun in his house that
was secured in a place with easy access. The toddler managed to take off the safety
lock, and thinking it was a toy, pulled the trigger. The bullet struck him, but fortunately
was left with non-life threatening injuries (http://wtkr.com/2017/09/28/newport-news-
child-hospitalized-after-accidentally-shooting-himself/)
• On September 28, 2017, a 3-year-old boy in Parma, Ohio, accidentally shot and killed
himself. The boy entered his car, and when his father turned away for a brief moment,
grabbed a gun secured in a console. Thinking it was a toy, the 3-year old caused the
gun to discharge, killing himself. (http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/cuyahoga-county/4-
year-old-boy-dies-after-accidentally-shooting-self-in-head-at-parma-home/479384173)
• On September 24, 2017, a 2-year-old boy in St. Louis, Missouri, found an unsecured
gun and accidentally shot and killed his father, Darrion, Noble. The toddler mistook the
0.38 caliber handgun for a toy gun, and caused it to discharge, striking his father in the
neck. (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-killed-by-shot-fired-
by-young-child-playing-with/article_936a6bc7-39a1-51ca-b15b-2f058f9326bd.html)
• On September 22, 2017, a 3-year old boy in Center City, Philadelphia, was in the
backseat of a parked car with his 24-year old uncle in the passenger seat. Soon, the
boy found an unsecured gun, and thinking it was a toy, pulled the trigger. The bullet
struck the 24-year old victim's shoulder. (http://www.fox29.com/news/local-news/3-
year-old-shoots-uncle-in-center-city-police-say)
• On September 21, 2017, a 4-year-old boy in Kansas City, Missouri, found an
unsecured gun in his house, when his father was not nearby. He immediately picked it
up, and mistaking it for a toy caused it to discharge, shooting himself.
(http://fox4kc.com/2017/09/21/young-boy-hospitalized-after-accidentally-shooting-
himself-at-kansas-city-apartment/)
• On September 10, 2017, a 3 year old from Madison Township, Ohio, shot and killed
himself after finding an unsecured gun in the kitchen. The toddler thought the gun was
a toy and accidentally caused the gun to discharge, striking him in the head.
(http://www.whio.com/news/local/ohio-year-old-dies-after-apparently-shooting-
himself/ZrXiGDLZlbM5wtxCaf4MON/)
• On September 8, 2017, a 4 -year old was shot and killed by her 2-year old brother,
who found a gun in their car. The mother left the children unsupervised at a truck stop
in Opal, Virginia, and thinking it was a toy, the toddler accidentally pulled the trigger.
http://www.fauquier.com/news/girl-survives-accidental-shooting-in-
opal/article_c94da3b8-972f-11e7-bd99-0b3cb1bac33b.html)
• On September 8, 2017, a 4 -year old boy in Milan, Indiana, shot and injured himself.
The toddler located an unsecured gun in the house and played with it. He accidentally
pulled the trigger, striking his abdomen. (http://fox59.com/2017/09/08/police-
investigating-after-4-year-old-boy-finds-loaded-firearm-shoots-self-in-ripley-county/)
• On September 5, 2017, a 4 year old girl in San Antonio, Texas, shot and killed herself
after finding an improperly stored gun in the couch of her house. Thinking the gun was
a toy, the girl began to play with it and accidentally caused the gun to discharge.
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/crime/article/SAPD-4-year-old-girl-in-
critical-condition-after-12173191.php)
• On September 5, 2017, a 11 year old boy in Memphis Tennessee shot himself in the
arm after finding a gun at a bus stop. Not knowing the gun was real, the boy picked it
up causing the gun to discharge.
(http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2017/09/05/police-respond-to-child-
shooting-memphis/632381001/)
• On September 3, 2017, a 9-year old boy in Horn Lake, Mississippi accidentally shot
and killed himself. The boy found the gun in his car while looking for something, and
not knowing the gun was real, pulled the trigger.
(http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/a-horn-lake-ms-boy-dies-after-police-
said-he-accidentally-shot-himself/803841036)
• On September 2, 2017, a 9-year old boy in Haltom City, Texas, shot and killed himself
when the gun he was playing with accidentally discharged. The boy found the gun in a
drawer of the master bedroom and assumed the gun was fake. (http://www.star-
telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article171061447.html)
• On August 31, 2017, two children found a gun in their house in Redan, Georgia. Not
knowing that the gun was real, the children began playing with the gun and caused it
to discharge. The bullet struck one of the children in the leg
(http://www.11alive.com/news/police-child-shot-in-leg-while-playing-with-gun-in-
dekalb/469785897)
• On August 28, 2017, 5-year old Elise Belfast from Scarborough Main, accidentally
shot and killed herself. When she and her father were spending time in their
grandparents’ house, Elise reached into her dad’s backpack and retrieved a .45
caliber gun. Thinking it was a toy, Elise accidentally pulled the trigger
(https://bangordailynews.com/2017/08/30/news/portland/belfast-girl-5-shot-herself-
with-fathers-gun-police-say/)
• On August 28, 2017, a 5-year old boy in Kalamazoo, Michigan found an unsecured
gun in his house and played with it, thinking it was a toy. The child accidentally pulled
the trigger, shooting himself in the hand.
(http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/kalamazoo/5-year-old-kalamazoo-boy-finds-gun-
accidentally-shoots-himself-in-the-hand/468532225)
• On August 27, 2017, 26- year old Kevin Chang called the police reporting that he was
shot in the back. Investigators say that a toddler at his house found a gun on his bed
and accidentally caused it to discharge not knowing the gun was real.
(http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170827/one-accidentally-shot-another-
arrested-on-drug-charges-in-mary-esther)On August 24, 2017, a 4 year old, in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, picked up a gun thinking it was toy and accidentally pulled
the trigger. The bullet struck his father, immediately killing him.
(http://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/child-kills-father-in-accidental-
shooting/article_f0b3e8ff-9ec2-5551-ab38-eb938c229603.html)
• On August 23, 2017, a 3-year old in Arkansas found a gun left on the table in his
house and accidentally shot himself. While the parents were in a dispute, the toddler,
thinking it was a toy, picked the gun up and pulled the trigger while playing with it.
(http://wreg.com/2017/08/23/three-year-old-critical-following-accidental-shooting/)
• On August 21, 2017, an 8-year old boy in Syracuse, New York shot and killed himself
after finding a gun in his house. He thought the gun was a toy and picked it up to play
with it, but accidentally caused the gun to discharge
,(http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/08/syracuse_2nd_grader_shot_killed
_wanted_to_grow_up_to_be_a_ninja_to_protect_his_d.html)
• On August 19, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Memphis Tennessee was pronounced dead
after he found an unsecured gun in his house. The boy picked it up to play with it, but
accidentally caused the gun to fire, shooting and killing himself.
(http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36174142/boy-4-dies-after-accidentally-
shooting-himself)
• On August 19, 2017, a 3-year old boy in Hartford, Connecticut, found his father’s
unsecured gun and picked it up to play with it. The toddler, not knowing the gun was
real, accidentally caused the gun to discharge, shooting himself in the shoulder.
(http://www.wfsb.com/story/36172716/three-year-old-hartford-boy-injured-after-
accidental-shooting)
• On August 18, 2017, a 4-year old girl in Memphis, Tennessee was pronounced dead
few hours after she found a gun and accidentally pulled the trigger. While spending
time with her family, the toddler found an unsecured gun and picked it up thinking it
was a toy. (http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36170855/girl-4-critical-after-
accidental-shooting-on-egan-drive)
• On August 9, 2017, a 10-year old accidentally shot and killed himself upon finding a
gun in their house in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Mistaking the gun for a toy, the elder
child got hold of it and accidentally caused it to discharge.
(http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/12602857-74/police-child-shot-injured-in-west-miffli)
• On August 5, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Crown Point, Indiana, accidentally shot and
killed himself after finding a gun under the bed of his babysitter’s house. Thinking it
was a toy, the toddler began playing with the gun and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-accidental-shooting-
boy-dead-st-0806-20170805-story.html)
• On July 31, 2017, two toddlers were at home with an adult supervisor in Louisville,
when the two found a 9mm gun hidden in their house. Not knowing that the gun was
real, the 3-year old accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting and killing himself.
(http://www.wdrb.com/story/36012344/louisville-man-says-2-year-old-son-died-after-
accidentally-getting-into-his-gun-safe)
• On July 31, 2017, a 4-year old in Tampa Bay found a gun in his house and
accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting and killing himself. Mistaking it for a toy, the
toddler began playing with it and unfortunately pulled the trigger.
(http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/boy-4-fatally-shoots-himself-
with-gun-found-in-tampa-home/2332061)
• On July 26, 2017, a 7-year old boy and a 4-year old girl found a gun in a house in St.
Paul, Minnesota. The 7-year old picked the gun up to play with and accidentally
caused it discharge, shooting and injuring the girl. (http://www.kare11.com/news/girl-4-
accidentally-shot-in-st-paul/459546651)
• On July 13, 2017, a nine year old boy got a hold of his father’s gun in Indianapolis.
Thinking it was a toy gun, the 9-year old played with and accidentally caused the gun
to discharge, shooting himself in the hand. (http://wishtv.com/2017/07/13/police-
investigate-after-child-shot-in-hand-in-indianapolis/?preview_id=677593)
• On July 8, 2017, 3-year old Kash Sharp in Memphis, Tennessee, was pronounced
dead after shooting and killing himself. The toddler got hold of his father’s gun, and
thinking it was a toy, the 3-year old played with it and accidentally pulled the trigger,.
(http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/35839739/family-boy-3-dies-after-
accidentally-shooting-himself)
• On July 7, 2017, a 4-year old girl in Des Moines, Iowa, was playing in her parents’
bedroom unsupervised, when she found a gun under the bed. She immediately began
playing with it after mistaking it for a toy and accidentally caused it to discharge,
shooting herself in the thigh. (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-
and-courts/2017/07/07/4-year-old-shot-her-leg-des-moines-police-say/458500001/)
• On July 7, 2017, a 5-year old was playing in the hallway of his cousin’s house in
Akron, Ohio, when the toddler found a gun. After mistaking it for a toy, he began
playing with the gun while his cousin was asleep and accidentally shot himself in the
left calf.
• On July 4, 2017, 5-year old Jeremiah Brown was pronounced dead immediately after
shooting himself with a 9mm gun. Brown and his 6-year old relative of Winston
County, began playing with it in the master bedroom after mistaking it for a toy. Brown
accidentally caused the gun to discharge and a bullet struck him.
(http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/07/04/child-dies-gun-
accident/450320001/)
• On July 4, 2017, a 5-year old and his 6-year old friend found a gun in the master
bedroom of their house in Mississippi. They were playing with it, when the 6-year old
accidentally caused the 9mm gun to discharge, striking the younger boy in the head,
killing him instantly. (http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/07/04/child-
dies-gun-accident/450320001/)
• On June 28, 2017, an 9-year old in Jacksonville, Florida, was playing with his 8-year
old friend, when the elder one found a gun in a drawer in the bedroom. Thinking it was
a fake gun to play with, the 9-year old accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting his
friend in the torso. (http://www.news4jax.com/news/local/jacksonville/police-8-year-old-
shot-in-northwest-jacksonville)
• On June 28, 2017, 5-year old boy in Greenwood, Mississippi, was playing with his 6-
year old friend, and found a .40 caliber gun under the couch while looking for his
shoes and socks. Not knowing the gun was real, he began playing with it and
accidentally caused it to discharge. The bullet struck the 6-year old in the abdomen
and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
(http://www.news4jax.com/news/local/jacksonville/police-8-year-old-shot-in-northwest-
jacksonville)
• On June 23, 2017, a 3-year old girl found a gun in her house in Ludowici, Georgia.
She then picked it to play with it, and the gun went off, striking her in the
stomach.(http://www.wjcl.com/article/three-year-old-girl-shot-in-long-county/10211629)
• On June 20, 2017, a 3-year old in Michigan accidentally shot and killed himself. The
toddler was playing with his friends outside, when he found a gun on the street.
Thinking it was toy, he picked it up to play with, but in the process accidentally caused
it to discharge. (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-
county/2017/06/20/child-shot-killed-clinton-township-homicide/103042540/)
• On June 19, 2017, a 2-year old boy in Arkansas shot and killed himself after
accidentally pulling the trigger of a gun he found. The toddler was playing around in
the halls of his house, when he picked the gun up to play with it.
(http://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-monroe-four-year-old-death-0619-20170619-
story.html)
• On June 19, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, found a gun at a
family home. The toddler, thinking it was a toy, played with gun and accidentally
caused it to discharge. He shot himself in the face, and was later pronounced dead.
(http://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-monroe-four-year-old-death-0619-20170619-
story.html)
• On June 17, 2017, a 4-year old girl in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was accidentally
shot and killed by her 6-year old sibling. While playing around in the house, the 6-year
old found a gun and accidentally caused it to discharge, not knowing the gun was real.
(http://www.wltx.com/news/local/4-year-old-sc-girl-shot-and-killed-by-6-year-
old/449882519)
• On June 6, 2017, 20 year-old Eric Rivera was shot and killed by police officers after
mistaking a toy gun for a real one in Los Angeles, California. When confronted by the
police, Rivera turned around with a toy gun which prompted the officers to shoot for
self defense. (http://homicide.latimes.com/post/eric-rivera/)
• On June 6, 2017, a 2-year old found a loaded gun in his house in Tennessee. The
toddler accidentally shot his 7-year old cousin while playing with the gun. The cousin
was later pronounced dead and the police were not able find the gun.
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/06/7-year-old-fatally-shot-
toddler-metro-police-say/375262001/
• On June 5, 2017, a 4-year old in Arkansas shot and killed a 29 year old man with a
loaded gun he found. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler began to play with it and
caused the gun to discharge http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/35594959/4-year-
old-accidentally-shoots-kills-man
• On June 3, 2017, a 3-year old in Colorado Springs, found a gun that was improperly
stored, as they were about to move houses. The toddler not knowing the gun was real,
accidentally caused the gun to discharge and shot his 2-year old brother.
http://www.koaa.com/story/35582246/toddler-accidentally-shot-by-sibling-in-colorado-
springs
• On June 3, 2017, a 3-year old found a gun on the second floor of his house in
Pennsylvania. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler accidentally caused it to discharge,
shooting himself in the chest. The toddler was later pronounced dead.
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/06/03/fatal-shooting-delaware-county/
• On May 27, 2017, a 2-year old boy in Oklahoma found a gun in his house and began
playing with it, not knowing it was real and loaded. Few moments later, the toddler
caused the gun to discharge and accidently shot himself.
http://kfor.com/2017/05/27/police-two-year-old-girl-shoots-herself-in-metro-initial-
reports-say-it-was-accidental/
• On May 24, 2017, a 2-year old from Milwaukee was pronounced dead after he shot
and killed himself. The toddler found a handgun that was improperly stored by the
father and not knowing the gun was real and loaded, pulled the trigger.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/05/24/milwaukee-toddler-accidentally-
shoots-himself-dad-arrested/341724001/
• On May 23, 2017, a 3-year old boy in San Angelo, Texas found a loaded handgun
under the coach in his living room and thinking it was a toy, unintentionally caused it to
discharge and shot himself. http://www.ktxs.com/news/police-san-angelo-boy-3-
shoots-self-in-face-investigation-continues3/513140154
• On May 17, 2017, 2-year old Elijah Gatson found a gun in his house in Jacksonville,
Florida. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler played with the gun and unintentionally shot
himself. He was immediately sent to the hospital and is now recovering.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/police-investigating-incident-off-old-middleburg-road
• On May 17, 2017, an 18-month old toddler accidentally shot himself in Nashville,
Tennessee. The father, a police officer, came home after work and found his four
children covered in hair removal lotion. When he took all of them to get cleaned up,
the toddler had quietly escaped and wandered into the bedroom. The toddler picked
up a gun that was on the bed and thinking it was toy, accidentally shot himself in the
face. http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2017/05/17/police-toddler-
wounded-bullet-east-nashville/327094001
• On May 16, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Orange County found a gun at his childcare
provider’s house. The boy thought the gun was fake and picked it up to play with it, but
unintentionally shot and killed himself. http://www.fauquier.com/news/boy-shoots-and-
kills-himself-at-stafford-deputy-s-home/article_b09ea91c-3a5e-11e7-a2c9-
9f481f072263.html
• On May 15, 2017, a 7-year old was unintentionally shot by another child at Moss Bluff
Elementary School, Louisiana. A boy in his first grade class brought a loaded gun to
school, but when the gun fell out of his backpack, another boy picked it up, thinking it
was a toy. He accidentally caused it to discharge striking the boy.
http://www.fauquier.com/news/boy-shoots-and-kills-himself-at-stafford-deputy-s-
home/article_b09ea91c-3a5e-11e7-a2c9-9f481f072263.html
• On May 12, 2017, a 3-year old in South Carolina found a gun in his house while the
dad was outside mowing the lawn. Thinking it was a toy, he started to play with it and
accidentally shot himself.
http://www.independentmail.com/story/news/local/2017/05/12/3-year-old-gunshot-
victim-taken-hosptial/101597818/
• On May 11, 2017, a 4-year old unintentionally shot himself in East Chicago. The
toddler loved playing with toy guns, and found a handgun in his house. Thinking it was
real, he played with it and accidentally caused it to discharge.
http://abc7chicago.com/news/east-chicago-boy-4-killed-in-accidental-shooting-relativs-
say/1979754/
• On May 11, 2017, a 9-year old in Barrow County, Atlanta arrived home after school
and found a gun that his parents did not secure properly. Thinking it was fake, the boy
began playing with it and accidentally caused it to discharge, shooting and killing
himself. http://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/year-old-boy-dies-after-shooting-
himself/Ebf7Okt8S1wHRPWnxD1JtN/
• On April 23, 2017, a 3-year old in Massachusetts found a gun in his house when his
father was asleep. The toddler picked it up to play with it, as he thought it was a toy.
Soon, he unintentionally caused it to discharge and shot himself.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/04/23/vicksburg-child-3-killed-
gunshot/100822734/
• On April 3, 2017, a 2-year old boy in Texas found an unattended gun on the table of
his kitchen. Thinking it was a toy, he started to play with it but unintentionally caused it
discharge, shooting himself in the eye.
http://www.caller.com/story/news/crime/2017/04/03/corpus-christi-father-arrested-
after-2-year-old-shoots-himself/99976024/
• On April 2, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Wisconsin found his mother’s handgun in an
accessible place. Thinking it was a toy, he picked up the gun and unintentionally
caused it to discharge, shooting himself.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2017/04/02/4-year-old-shoots-himself-mothers-
gun-mom-arrested/99964398/
• On April 2, 2017, a 4-year old boy found an unattended gun in his house in Texas.
Thinking it was fake, he played with the gun and unintentionally caused it to discharge,
shooting himself. http://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/bexar-county-sheriffs-deputies-
investigate-child-shot-on-north-side
• On March 27, 2017, 2-year old Benson Jones in North Carolina, was given toys to play
with by his neighbors, including a gun. Not knowing that the gun was real, the toddler
accidentally caused to discharge and shot himself. http://myfox8.com/2017/03/27/2-
year-old-high-point-toddler-shot-himself/
• On March 25, 2017, a 9-year old boy in Detroit was going through his mom’s purse
looking for snacks when he found a gun. He picked it up thinking it was a toy but
accidentally caused it to discharge and shot himself in the hand.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/9-year-old-accidentally-shoots-self-after-finding-gun-in-
moms-purse
• On March 25. 2017, a 4-year old boy in Columbia, South Carolina found a gun
improperly stored in his house, and not knowing it was a real gun, played with. He
accidentally caused it to discharge and shot himself.
http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article140771698.html
• On March 25, 2017, a 2-year old in South Carolina found a gun in her house that was
not properly secured. She picked it up thinking it was a toy, and accidently caused it to
discharge, shooting herself.
http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article140771698.html
• On March 21, 2017 a 2-year old toddler in Tucson found a handgun that the mom had
left loaded on the bed. She turned around to get the holster, when the toddler picked it
up thinking it was a toy, and shot his 9-year old brother.
(http://www.kvoa.com/story/34964775/parents-arrested-in-accidental-shooting-of-child)
• On March 21, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Mount Olivet climbed into a tuck and found a
gun that was improperly stored. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler caused the gun to
discharge and accidentally shot himself. http://www.maysville-
online.com/news/local/robertson-child-dies-from-gunshot-wound/article_cc0f6dac-
4a3d-53f1-ab48-a8166109d3ac.html
• On March 17, 2017, 2 boys who were coming back from Chuck E. Cheese in Fort
Worth, Texas, found a 0.380 caliber pistol in their car. The 3 year-old toddlers picked
the gun up and not knowing it was real, pulled the trigger, hitting one of them in the
arm, and the other in the back. http://www.star-
telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article139272063.html
• On March 16, 2017, Yasha Ross found a gun in the house that the toddler and the
mom were visiting in Mount Washington. Thinking it was a toy, she began to play with
and accidentally caused it to discharge, shooting herself in the upper chest.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article139272063.html
• On March 10, 2017, a 6-year old boy found a gun in his house in Baltimore, and
thinking it was a toy, accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting his 4-year old brother.
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/03/10/police-4-year-old-shot-by-6-year-old-brother/
• On March 6, 2017, a 17-month girl in Cincinnati, was shot by her 3-year old brother.
The toddler found a gun in a shoebox hidden by the father, and thinking it was toy,
caused it to discharge. http://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/police-1-year-old-girl-shot-in-
west-price-hill
• On March 2, 2017 in Florida, a 3-year old boy was left unattended in his mom’s car
when she heard a loud bang. She did not think much of it and checked to see that the
the 3-year old was fine. It was later that she realized that the toddler had thought the
gun was a toy and accidently caused it to discharge, shattering the car window.
http://news.brevardtimes.com/2017/03/florida-woman-arrested-after-3-year-old.html
• On February 24, 2017, a 3 year old in South Carolina was left in the car alone when
he found a gun that belonged to his father. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler played
with and accidentally shot himself. http://www.wltx.com/news/local/3-year-old-shot-in-
orangeburg_/414407034
• On February 21, 2017, a 2-year old in North Carolina, found his parents’ handgun in
the side door of his car and played with it thinking it was toy. The toddler caused it to
discharge and fatally shot himself. http://myfox8.com/2017/02/21/2-year-old-boy-
accidentally-shoots-himself-with-parents-gun/
• On February 9, 2017, 56-year old Don Perkins in Portland Oregon threatened to kill
himself. When two police officers confronted him, he pointed a replica gun at them and
was immediately shot thinking it was real. http://koin.com/2017/02/09/suspect-injured-
in-officer-involved-shooting/
• On February 9, 2017, a 17-year old boy in Portland, Oregon, was said to be a suspect
in a robbery and was confronted by police officers. When the boy pointed a replica gun
at the officers, he was shot and killed immediately. http://koin.com/2017/02/10/mayor-
police-chief-to-address-police-shootings/
• On February 3, 2017, a 15-year old boy in West Virginia was spotted by police officers
hiding behind a bush next to the police station. When confronted, he pointed a replica
gun at them and was warned to drop the weapon. When the boy refused, he was shot
three times. The police later confirmed that the wounds were not life-threatening.
http://www.wvillustrated.com/story/34421889/police-teen-shot-after-displaying-real-
looking-replica-gun
• On February 2, 2017, a 3-year old in South Carolina found a gun in his house.
Thinking it was a toy, the little boy played with it causing it to discharge. He was
pronounced dead later that afternoon.
http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/34416198/neighbors-react-to-accidental-fatal-
shooting-of-3-year-old-boy-in-horry-county
• On January 24, 2017, a 4-year old in Tampa, Florida, found a gun that belonged to his
mother’s boyfriend. He then accidently shot himself in the chest and was immediately
rushed to the hospital.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/hillsborough-deputies-on-scene-of-
apparent-shooting-of-4-year-old/2310638
• On January 22, 2017, 4-year old Avion in Auburndale, Florida, found a loaded pistol
gun in his mother’s girlfriend's bag. The toddler, thinking it was a toy, played with the
gun and accidently shot himself in the face
• On January 18, 2017, a 22-year old mother in Chicago was charged for misdemeanor
child endangerment after her five-year old daughter accidently shot herself in the
stomach. The child found a handgun in her mom’s purse and thinking it was a toy,
caused the gun to discharge
• On January 17, 2017, a 9-year old boy in Springfield Tennessee was shot in the arm
by his 5-year old cousin. The 5-year old found a handgun in a bedroom and caused it
to discharge, mistaking it for a toy. (newschannel5.com)
• On December 22, 2016, a 73-year old man in Baltimore was approached by three
young men, including a 13-year old. They threatened to carjack him, as the 13-year
old pulled out a replica gun. Thinking it was a handgun, the victim, a former police
officer and now a private investigator shot the boy in the head, putting him in critical
condition.
• On December 20, 2016, 26-year old Cody Hardman was shot and killed by police
officers in Stonewood, West Virginia. A SWAT Team attempted to take Cody into
custody, when he pointed a pellet gun at the officers. Mistaking the weapon for a .45
caliber, the officers immediately shot and killed him.
• On December 12, 2016, a 2-year old in Ohio found a gun in his house that belonged to
his well respected father. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler played with the gun causing
it to charge. He fatally shot himself and was later pronounced dead.
• On December 11, 2016, 2016, 44-year old Amber Lewis in Bullhead Arizona was shot
and killed by officers. The police arrived at her house after receiving a threatening call
from Lewis and found her pointing a handgun at the officers. In defense, officers shot
her and were later informed that the gun was a not lethal gun, but instead a replica.
(12news.com)
• On November 23, 2016, two 10-year old boys were playing with a real gun thinking it
was a toy. One of the boys caused the gun to discharge, killing the other boy in Troy,
West Virginia.(Ref: metronews.com)
• On November 13, 2016, a 3-year old boy was shot and killed in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
The 3-year old and his friend had found a gun in the house and had been playing with
it, causing it to discharge and hurt the boy. (Ref: fox2detroit.com)
• On October 27, 2016, 3-year old Jerome Green was shot and killed by his 5-year old
brother in Topping Avenue, Kansas. The 5-year old brother had found real handgun,
• On October 25, 2016, 25—year old Brandon Jones and 25—year old Chelsea Porter
were shot and killed by the police in Elkton, Maryland. Brandon and Chelsea Porter
were wanted on gun and drug charges. When they were found in a motel room, they
were shot after both pointed a replica gun which were assumed to be real handguns.
(Ref: theguardian.com)
• On October 24, 2016, a 45—year old man and was shot by police officers in
Lanesboro, Minnesota. Kristofer Youngquist was confronted by police officers who
was believed to be involved in a domestic assault. Youngquist pointed a pellet gun at
the officers, but was immediately shot thinking he was pointing a handgun. (Ref:
theguardian.com)
• On October 16, 2016, 26—year old Micah Jester, was shot and killed by two police
officers in Austin, Texas. Her husband called 911 and reported that Micah had a gun
in her hand and was acting erratically. When the officers approached her, she refused
to put down her gun that the officers assumed was a real handgun. Later, investigators
confirmed that the gun was not real, and that she was holding a BB gun. (Ref:
theguardian.com)
• On October 10, 2016, a 26—year old male was shot and killed by officers after
mistaking his fake gun for real. The 26 - year old robbed a CVS pharmacy and
attempted to flee the scene. When surrounded, he pointed an air pistol at the officers
and was immediately shot in defense. (Ref: theguardian.com)
• On October 3, 2016, police officers in Los Angeles, received a phone call notifying
them that there was an armed man on the street. When officers approached him, he
pointed the gun at them and was immediately shot in reflex. Investigators later
confirmed that the weapon was a replica gun and would not have caused any harm.
(http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/10/03/65314/suspect-shot-by-officers-probing-report-
of-armed-m/)
• On October 2, 216, 16—year old Daniel Perez was shot and killed by police officers in
Los Angeles, California. The police officers believed Perez had the “desire to end his
own life” after getting a call from Perez. He later pointed a replica gun at the officers,
but was shot thinking it was a loaded handgun.
• On September 14, 2016 13year old Tyree King was fatally shot in Columbus, Ohio. A
Complete List : Click Here
•On June 26, 2019, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the foot in Danville,
Kentucky. The toddler was being taken care of by his grandfather when he found an
unsecured gun in his house. Assuming it was a toy, the toddler picked it up and
accidentally pulled the trigger. (https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Toddler-
accidentally-shoots-self-in-Boyle-County-511824241.html)
• On June 25, 2019, 4-year old Ayden Robinson was accidentally shot and killed by 3-
year old in Memphis, Tennessee. The two were playing when they discovered a gun
inside a dresser drawer. The 3-year old picked it up assuming it was a toy and
accidentally pulled the trigger. (https://wreg.com/2019/06/25/man-charged-with-
reckless-homicide-after-four-year-old-killed-in-apparent-accidental-shooting/)
• On June 21, 2019, 2-year old Keyton Stuber accidentally shot and killed himself in
Greenville, South Carolina. The toddler went through his mom’s purse when she came
back from work and found a Glock pistol. Thinking it was a toy, Keyton picked it up
and pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the face.
(https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2019/06/21/family-
gripped-grief-over-shooting-death-toddler-it-accident/1526384001/)
• On May 29, 2019, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot himself in Des Moines, Iowa. The
boy found an unsecured gun in the car and thinking it was a toy, picked it up and shot
himself in the shoulder. (https://www.kcci.com/article/police-4-year-old-shot-while-
playing-with-gun-in-car/27633901)
• On May 26, 2019, the 3-year old son of a Brownwood officer accidentally shot himself
in the head in Brown County, Texas. The child found an unsecured gun in a nightstand
and assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/crime/report-3-year-old-son-of-brownwood-
police-officer-accidentally-shoots-himself-in-head/2058671196)
• On May 17, 2019, 4-year old Tyler Burnett accidentally shot and killed himself in Little
Rock, Arkansas. The boy found an unsecured gun in his house and thinking it was a
toy pulled the trigger. (https://katv.com/news/local/man-arrested-after-child-dies-from-
self-inflicted-gunshot-wound)
• On May 14, 2019, 3-year old Chrisaiah Arrington accidentally shot and killed himself in
Jackson City, Michigan. The boy found an unsecured gun that belonged to his mom in
his house. Assuming it was a toy, he picked it up and accidentally caused it to
discharge. (https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2019/05/14/chrisaiah-
arrington-jackson-toddler-shoots-self/3664667002/)
• On May 13, 2019, a 1-year old toddler accidentally shot him/herself in the head while
playing with an unsecured 0.380 caliber gun. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler picked
it up and pulled the trigger. (https://abc11.com/deputies-1-year-old-shot-in-head-while-
playing-in-parents-bedroom/5297402/)
• On May 12, 2019, 4-year old Evan Sun accidentally shot and killed himself in Toledo,
Ohio. The boy found an unsecured gun that belongs to his father who serves as the
state trooper. Assuming it was a toy, the boy pulled the trigger.
(https://www.foxnews.com/us/4-year-old-dies-after-finding-gun-from-dad-a-state-
trooper)
• On May 11, 2019, a 7-year old boy accidentally shot his 3-year old sibling in DeKalb
County, Georgia. The boy found his grandmother’s black and pink handgun in a shelf,
and assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger in curiosity.
(https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/toddler-allegedly-shot-by-older-child-in-
dekalb-county/85-dbf536be-875c-4959-a096-3575092ee028)
• On May 7th, 2019, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the foot and grazed his
chest in Bellevue, Wisconsin. The toddler got a hold of an unsecured gun in his house
and thinking it was a toy, fired a roll. (https://fox11online.com/news/local/2-year-old-
shot-in-brown-co)
• On April 21, 2019, a 2-year old girl accidentally shot herself in the foot in Jacksonville,
Florida. The toddler found an unsecured gun in a bedroom and accidentally pulled the
trigger while playing with it. (https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/jso-2-year-old-
girl-shot-in-the-foot-off-e-44th-street/941859333)
• On April 16, 2019, a 2-year old boy in Colombia, Kentucky, was accidentally shot by a
5-year old. The two children found an unsecured Kel-Tec P-32 pistol in an unlocked
truck. Assuming it was a toy, the 5-year old picked it up and accidentally caused it to
discharge. (https://www.wbko.com/content/news/2-year-old-Adair-County-boy-
accidentally-shot-in-head-508644691.html)
• On March 27, 2019, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot himself in Oakland, California.
The boy was visiting a friend’s house with his mom when he found an unsecured gun
under the bed. Assuming it was a toy, he pulled the trigger and shot himself in the
head.(https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/03/27/small-child-shot-in-head-oakland-
home/)
• On February 22, 2019, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in Pulaski County,
Arkansas. The toddler discovered an unsecured gun that was left behind by a guest,
and assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger. (https://www.fox16.com/news/local-
news/pcso-2-year-old-shot-in-the-arm-friday-night/1803483005)
• On February 16, 2019, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in his right arm in
Phoenix, Arizona. The boy found an unsecure gun in his father’s house, and mistaking
it for a toy, he pulled the trigger. (https://www.azfamily.com/news/man-arrested-after--
year-old-accidentally-shot-himself-at/article_63f67ae8-3955-11e9-9ed5-
9ffe1e9b7cef.html)
• On February 9, 2019, 2-year old Jaden Piedra accidentally shot and killed himself in
Jacksonville, Florida. The toddler found an unsecure gun while visiting a friend’s
house and mistaking it for a toy, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.ajc.com/news/national/year-old-boy-accidentally-shoots-himself-dies-
mother-says/7OcdSpbVZGCdVwFvoCzygP/)
• On February 8, 2019, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the arm in Houston,
Texas. While visiting his father, the boy found an unsecured gun under the bed and
assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2019/feb/nr190211-4.htm)
• On February 3, 2019, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot his pregnant mother in
Seattle, Washington. While watching a movie with his mom and her boyfriend, the boy
retrieved an unsecured gun between the mattress and the boxspring. Mistaking it for a
toy, the child pulled the trigger, shooting his mom in the face.
(https://www.cbs17.com/news/national-news/boy-4-accidentally-shoots-pregnant-
mom-in-face-after-finding-gun-under-mattress/1753489237)
• On January 31, 2019, a 2-year old accidentally shot himself in Miami-Dade, Florida.
The toddler found an unsecure, loaded gun on the bed, and mistaking it for a toy,
pulled the trigger.
(https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article225393875.html)
• On January 7, 2019, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in Greensville County,
South Carolina. The boy found an unsecured gun in his car, and assuming it was a
toy, pulled the trigger. (https://www.wspa.com/news/1-hurt-in-shooting-on-new-bruce-
road-in-greenville-co/1690838933)
• On December 29, 2018, a 2-year old accidentally shot his 6-year old sister in the chest
in Atlanta, Georgia. The toddler got a hold of his father’s illegally possessed gun, and
assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/breaking-6-year-old-girl-shot-police-
say/896192429)
• On December 10, 2018, a 2 year old boy accidentally shot himself and his 7-year old
brother in Pagedale, Missouri. The toddler found an unsecured gun in his parents’
backpack, and thinking it was a toy, accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article222987635.html)
• On December 8, 2018, a 3-year old accidentally shot her 8-month old sister in the face
in a hotel at Gallup, New Mexico. While the parents were in the bathroom, the two
children found an unsecured gun (possibly left by a previous occupant) and assuming
it was a toy, the 3-year old pulled the trigger. (https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-
news/3-year-old-shot-baby-while-adults-were-in-the-shower/5174230/)
• On December 4, 2018, a 2-year old boy and his 4-year old brother accidentally shot
themselves in their hands in Wichita, Kansas. The two children found an unsecured
gun while visiting a friend’s house, and thinking it was a toy began playing with it until
it discharged. (http://www.kake.com/story/39592891/wichita-police-2-children-shot-
while-playing-with-handgun-1)
• On December 1, 2018, a 2-year old accidentally shot his mother in the back in
Shreveport, Los Angeles. The toddler found an unsecured gun in his house and
believing it was a toy, began playing with it. (https://www.ksn.com/news/local/2-
children-shot-while-playing-with-gun-in-south-wichita-home/1640842495)
• On November 29, 2018, a 4-year old accidentally shot herself in the stomach in
Algiers, Los Angeles. The girl found an unsecured gun while her mother was asleep
and thinking it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/crime_police/article_e1759540-
f462-11e8-bb78-9397f56be3fd.html)
• On November 18, 2015, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in
Jonesboro, Georgia. The toddler snuck into his father’s room and found an unsecured
handgun under the pillow. Mistaking it for a toy, the toddler, pulled the trigger.
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/toddler-dead-after-accidentally-shooting-
himself-gun-found-under-pillow-n936971)
• On November 8, 2018, the 3-year old son of a Camden police officer shot and killed
himself in Camden, Arkansas. The boy found a loaded gun when the father was in
duty and the mother was in the bathroom. Thinking it was a toy, he picked it up and
accidentally caused it to discharge. (https://www.ajc.com/news/national/boy-dies-after-
accidentally-shooting-self-authorities-say/hImAR7JMEUwXWCLFZy5szN/)
• On November 7, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in Baker’s
City, Oregon. The toddler found an unsecured gun in his house and thinking it was a
toy, picked it up. He caused the gun to discharge and shot himself in the head.
(https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/crime/investigators-baker-city-2-year-old-
accidentally-shot-himself/277-612220116)
• On November 6, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in Clinton,
Missouri. The boy pulled the trigger while playing with gun that he found in his kitchen
and believed to be a toy. (https://fox4kc.com/2018/11/06/4-year-old-boy-dies-after-
accidentally-shooting-self-with-gun-in-clinton/)
• On October 27, 2018, a 2-year old in Evansville, Indiana, accidentally shot herself
while playing with a 0.45 caliber gun. The toddler found the unsecured gun in the
bedroom and thinking it was a toy, picked it up to play with it.
(https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/crime/2018/10/29/evansville-police-search-
witness-child-self-inflicted-shooting/1811046002/)
• On October 25, 2018, a 4-year old boy was shot in the shoulder by his 2-year old
brother in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two children were at home when the toddler found
an unsecured gun in their house. Believing it was a toy, the 2-year old picked it and
pulled the trigger. (https://news3lv.com/news/local/it-wasnt-his-fault-friends-of-father-
defend-accidental-shooting-of-son)
• On October 25, 2018, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in
Logansport, Indiana. The toddler accompanied his father on a job related visit to a
homeowner’s house where he found an unsecured gun. He picked it up mistaking it for
a toy and accidentally pulled the trigger. (https://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-
news/cass-county/3-year-old-dies-after-accidental-shooting-in-logansport)
• On October 10, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the face in
Louisville, Kentucky. The boy found a stolen gun under a bed in his house and
assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger. (https://www.wdrb.com/news/crime-
reports/year-old-man-arrested-in-connection-with-louisville-toddler-s/article_f9112797-
972f-5d95-a09f-e671843f82db.html)
• On September 27, 2018, a 2-year old accidentally shot and killed himself after finding
a gun in his house in Rusk, Texas. The toddler and his 1-year old brother wandered
into the bathroom where the former picked up a gun, thinking it was a toy, and pulled
the trigger. (http://www.kltv.com/2018/09/28/cherokee-county-sheriff-year-old-dies-
accidental-shooting/)
• On September 24, 2018, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in
Warrenville, South Carolina. The boy found a gun in the hall of his house and
assuming it was a toy, pulled the trigger. (https://www.aikenstandard.com/news/more-
information-released-on-fatal-shooting-of--year-old/article_90fae2ac-c1c0-11e8-9964-
6b754775dd03.html)
• On September 17, 2018, a 2-year old accidentally shot and killed herself upon finding
a gun in his house in Livingston, Louisiana. The toddler climbed a counter to find his
mother’s unsecured gun, and assuming it was a toy a toy, pulled the trigger.
On August 28, 2018, 3-year old Tyree Ryder Flint accidentally shot and killed himself
after finding a gun in his house at Baltimore, Maryland. Shaquil Malquan Griffin, the
owner of the gun, left the gun loaded in his room, when the boy took it to play and
accidentally shot himself in the head.
(http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-co-toddler-firearm-death-
charges-20180831-story.html#)
• On August 21, 2018, a 3-year old boy was accidentally shot by his sibling in the throat
at his house in Iaeger, West Virginia. The children were playing with a gun they found,
and thinking it was a toy the elder of the two accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.bdtonline.com/news/mcdowell--year-old-shot-in-neck-by-another-
child/article_a0227e4a-a639-11e8-974d-ffae513bbdb2.html)
• On August 19, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the chest after
finding an unsecured gun while staying at Sterling Inn in Clive, Iowa. The toddler found
his father’s gun in a luggage and assuming it was a toy pulled the trigger.
(https://whotv.com/2018/08/19/2-year-old-shoots-himself-with-fathers-gun/)
• On August 13, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the stomach after
finding an unsecured gun at his house in Detroit, Michigan. While unattended, the
toddler found a 9mm gun under a pillow and thinking it was a toy, pulled the trigger.
(http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/2-year-old-boy-hospitalized-after-
shooting-self-with-father-s-gun-on-detroit-s-east-side)
• On July 25, 2018, a 5-year old boy accidentally shot a 2-year old at home in Samson,
Alabama. While his mom was cleaning the bathroom, the 5-year old climbed a cabinet
and got a hold of a 0.32 caliber gun and thinking it was a toy, began playing with it.
While doing so, he accidentally pulled the trigger and shot his sibling.
(http://www.wsfa.com/story/38707210/south-al-child-2-shot-in-the-back-by-another-
child)
• On July 21, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot and killed his 2 y/o cousin sister
in Muscoy, California. The boy found his grandfather’s gun laying around in the house
and thinking it was a toy began playing with it. In the process, he accidentally pulled
the trigger and shot his cousin sister in the chest.
(https://fox6now.com/2018/07/23/police-2-year-old-child-shot-in-foot-by-brother-in-
milwaukee-father-arrested/)
• On July 11, 2018, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in his house in San
Antonio, Texas. The boy found a gun in a holster that was attached to a bed. Thinking
it was a toy, he began playing with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.ksat.com/news/police-investigating-reported-shooting-on-nw-side)
• On July 9, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in his house in
Houston, Texas. The toddler found his father’s 9mm pistol in the bathroom and
thinking it was a toy played with it. In the process, he accidentally pulled the trigger
and shot himself in the head. http://abc13.com/police-2-year-old-died-from-self-
inflicted-gunshot-wound/3727697/)
• On July 7, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot himself at a suite in Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina. The boy found a gun in his mother’s purse and thinking it was a toy,
began playing with it. He accidentally pulled the trigger and shot himself in between
the eyes. (https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/4-year-old-gets-gun-from-
moms-purse-shoots-himself-myrtle-beach-police/83-571790616)
• On July 7, 2018, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in his home in
Richmond County, Georgia. The 4-year old got a hold of an unsecured gun and
thinking it was a toy, began playing with it. He accidentally pulled the trigger and the
bullet struck him. (https://www.wjbf.com/news/csra-news/4-year-old-boy-dies-in-
accidental-shooting/1288994182)
• On July 3, 2018, a 5-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself while camping in
Hartville, Montana. When the mother and her boyfriend left the 5-year old and his two
siblings at the care of a neighbor camper, the boy found a shotgun in the camper and
began playing with it. In the process he accidentally pulled the trigger and shot
himself. (https://www.ktts.com/news/local-news/child-5-dies-after-accidental-shooting)
• On July 2, 2018, a 6-year old boy accidentally shot by his 8-year old brother in
Saucier, Mississippi. The elder boy found his grandfather’s 0.22 caliber gun in a
dresser with no lock. Thinking it was a toy, the 8-year old began playing with it and
while handing it over to his brother, accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.wlox.com/story/38558695/6-year-old-shot-by-8-year-old-brother-
hospitalized)
• On June 26, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in Monett, Montana
after finding his parents’ gun in the passenger seat of their car. The toddler woke up
earlier than his parents, wandered into their attached garage and got a hold of the
gun. Thinking it was a toy, he accidentally pulled the trigger and the bullet struck his
head. (http://www.joplinglobe.com/news/update-monett--year-old-fatally-shot-himself-
with-loaded/article_01731c74-7960-11e8-bdb3-4f167621710c.html)
• On June 23, a 4-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in Oakdale,
Louisiana, after finding his father’s unsecured 0.4 caliber gun in his bathroom.
Thinking it was a toy, the boy began playing with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.americanpress.com/news/local/boy-shot-after-finding-loaded-
gun/article_6d1c0f5e-788d-11e8-b1cd-3fe2d3385336.html)
• On June 5, 2018, a 6-year old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in
Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The boy found a gun in a bag with a video game and
thinking it was a toy, accidentally pulled the trigger while playing with it.
(http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/news/local/boy-dies-from-accidental-
gunshot/article_19e1ea83-44e2-5940-8197-438a856b31ae.html)
• On June 4, 2018, a 4-year old girl accidentally shot herself in her house in Flint,
Michigan. The girl went to grab a toy and instead grabbed the gun that was stored in
the same closet. Thinking it was a toy, she began playing with it and accidentally
pulled the trigger. (https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/flint-parents-charged-after-4-
year-old-girl-finds-loaded-gun-shoots-self)
• On June 1, 2018, a 6-year old boy was visiting his grandfather in Opelousas, Los
Angeles, when he found a gun and accidentally shot himself. Thinking it was a toy, he
started playing with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.klfy.com/news/local/opelousas-police-investigate-a-shooting-involving-a-6-
year-old/1212893182)
• On May 28, 2018, a 5-year old boy in a Comfort Inn and Suites at Smyrna, Georgia,
accidentally shot his brother in the face. The boy found an unsecured gun in his
mother’s bag that she stole and thinking it was a toy, accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.myajc.com/news/crime--law/brother-shot-year-old-the-face-mother-
charged/dIg3E2JaOfTcwccBnnV5vM/)
• On May 26, 2018, a 2-year old boy in West Valley City, Utah, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The toddler was able to find his father’s unsecured gun and thinking it
was a toy, pulled the trigger on himself.
(https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900019888/toddler-who-shot-self-in-head-
dies.html)
• On May 22, 2018, a 4 -year old boy in Louisa County, Virginia, found a gun and
accidentally shot and killed his 2-year old brother. The boy picked up the gun and
began playing around with it when he accidentally pulled the trigger thinking it was a
toy. (https://www.wsls.com/news/virginia/4-year-old-virginia-boy-shot-killed-his-2-year-
old-brother-while-playing-police-say)
• On May 8, 2018, a 3 year old boy in Detroit, Michigan, found a gun in his house and
accidentally shot himself in the stomach. Thinking it was a toy, the boy began playing
with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2018/05/08/police-boy-3-
shot-east-side-home/590228002/)
• On May 5, 2018, a 4 year old boy in Richmond, Virginia, found a gun in his house and
accidentally shot and killed himself. While the mom was asleep, the boy found a gun in
a closet, and thinking it was a toy accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.wric.com/news/local-news/henrico-county/4-year-old-boy-henrico-boy-
killed-in-accidental-shooting/1165701777)
• On May 4, 2018, a 3 year old boy in Walterboro, South Carolina, found a gun and
accidentally shot and killed himself. The boy found a gun in the kitchen of a trailer and
thinking it was a toy, he accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.live5news.com/story/38129908/walterboro-mother-demands-justice-after-
3-year-old-son-killed-in-accidental-shooting)
• On April 21, 2018,a 4 year old boy in Millsap, Texas, found a handgun in house and
accidentally shot himself. When the boy found the unsecured gun he thought it was a
toy and pulled the trigger. (http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-
worth/article210766019.html)
• On April 18, 2018, a 3-year old girl accidentally shot her six week pregnant mother in
Merrillville, Indiana. The girl was left in the car with her brother and mom, when she
found an unsecured 9mm handgun and accidentally pulled the trigger while thinking it
was a toy. (http://www.wafb.com/story/37982145/girl-3-shoots-pregnant-mother-with-
dads-gun)
• On April 11, 2018, a 2 year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the left in Summerville,
South Carolina. The toddler found a loaded gun in the car and thinking it was toy,
pulled the trigger. (https://www.postandcourier.com/news/summerville-father-arrested-
after--year-old-son-finds-gun/article_023eb11c-3dcf-11e8-873c-676ead8f5af9.html)
• On April 3, 2018, a 5 year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 7-year old brother in
St. Louis, Montana. The 5-year old boy was looking for candy in a drawer when he
came across a gun that he believed was a toy. He accidentally pulled the trigger while
playing with and shot his brother in the head.
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/04/03/a-5-year-old-
looking-for-candy-found-a-gun-instead-then-fatally-shot-his-
brother/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6ab825a8dd71)
• On March 28, 2018, a 2 year-old boy was shot by his 4-year old sibling in Jennings,
Los Angeles. The 4-year old child found a loaded 9mm under the cushions of his
couch and thinking it was a toy accidentally pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the
toddler in the abdomen, but fortunately only grazed a bone.
(http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crime_police/article_3edbf7aa-338f-
11e8-a19e-03ca37f869f6.html)
• On March 22, 2018, a 2-year old boy accidentally shot his 1-year old brother in Hull,
Georgia. The 2-year old found an unsecured semi-automatic gun in a bedroom and
thinking it was a toy, he accidentally pulled the trigger.
http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/9480-1-year-old-transferred-to-
Egleston-following-accidental-shooting.html)
• On March 12, 2018, a 2 year-old accidentally shot and killed his 1-year old brother in
Mobile, Alabama. The toddler found an unsecured 9mm in the bedroom and thinking it
was a toy, pulled the trigger. (http://www.newsweek.com/2-year-old-fatally-shot-1-
year-old-brother-accidental-shooting-123-child-843166)
• On March 10, 2018 a 3-year old boy accidentally shot his 9-year old cousin in
Chicago, Illinois. The boy found a gun in his house and picked it up to play with as he
believed it was a toy. (https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/girl-accidentally-shot-by-3-
year-old-cousin-in-east-garfield-park/)
• On March 6, 2018, a 3 year-old accidentally shot himself in the hand in Cartersville,
Georgia. The 3-year old was left alone in the car with four other children when he
found an unsecured gun. Thinking it was a toy, he picked it up and accidentally pulled
the trigger. (https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/left-car-with-loaded-gun-year-old-
shoots-himself/omMsypMmu8lWV9dRAH2ntK/)
• On February 20, 2018, a 4-year old in Moulton, Alabama, accidentally shot and killed
himself. The boy managed to reach a gun stored in a high place in his house, and
started playing with it. Unfortunately, he pulled the trigger, shooting himself.
(https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alabama/articles/2018-02-21/police-
alabama-boy-4-fatally-shot-self-playing-with-gun)
• On January 27, 2018, a 4-year old boy in Texas City, Texas, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The boy found an unsecured gun in his house when he was under the
care of his grandmother. Mistaking it for a toy, the boy pulled the trigger, shooting
himself. (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas/articles/2018-01-27/4-year-
old-boy-dies-in-accidental-shooting-at-texas-home)
• On January 25, 2018, a 4-year old boy in Vernal, Utah climbed a shelf to find an
unsecured loaded gun. Mistaking it for a toy, he accidentally pulled the trigger,
shooting himself in chest.
(https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46246807&nid=148)
• On January 25, 2018, 3-year old Jonnie Colon, accidentally shot and killed himself in
Fort Worth,Texas. He discovered an unsecure gun and thinking it was a toy, pulled the
trigger. (http://foxsanantonio.com/news/nation-world/3-year-old-boy-found-gun-and-
shot-himself-family-tells-police)
• On January 4th, 2018, a 3-year old child in Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, found a gun in
the front yard and picked it up thinking it was a toy. In doing so, the child accidentally
pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the leg. (http://www.wafb.com/story/37195491/3-
year-old-accidentally-shoots-self-with-stolen-gun)
• On December 28, 2017, a 4-year old boy shot and killed himself in Bibb County,
Alabama. The boy found an unsecured gun and mistaking it for a toy, pulled the
trigger. The bullet struck his face and the boy was later pronounced dead.
(http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2017/12/4-year-
old_boy_killed_after_ac.html)
• On December 19, 2017, a 5-year old boy accidentally shot himself in the hand in
Chicago, Illinois. The boy found an illegally purchased gun in his father’s bedroom,
and caused it to discharge after mistaking it for a toy.
(http://www.wate.com/news/5yearold-chicago-boy-shot-in-2016-shoots-himself-in-
hand/884541091)
• On December 7, 2017, a 6-year old girl was accidentally shot by her 10-year old
brother in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The brother found a 0.40 caliber gun in his house
and mistook it for a toy. While playing with it, he pulled the trigger, shooting his sister
in the chest. (http://abc27.com/2017/12/07/police-investigating-reported-shooting-in-
harrisburg/)
• On December 6, 2017, a 3-year old boy in Detroit, Michigan, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The toddler was left unattended when he found a gun in his house.
Thinking it was a toy, he started playing with it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/police-say-3-year-old-boy-fatally-shot-on-
detroits-east-side-was-playing-with-gun)
• On December 5, 2017, a 5 -year old boy in Anchorage, Alaska, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The boy found an unsecured gun in his parents’ nightstand, and thinking
it was a toy, pulled the trigger. (http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/5-year-old-child-
found-dead-from-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-police-say-462098633.html)
• On December 4, 2017, a 3 year- old boy accidentally shot himself in Elroy, Wisconsin.
The boy found his father’s gun, who is a police officer, and thinking it was a toy, pulled
the trigger.
(http://www.wiscnews.com/juneaucountystartimes/news/local/article_ffc78273-db48-
5844-8e04-562f7fdee28d.html)
• On December 3, 2017, a 3-year old boy found a gun in an apartment in Louisville,
Kentucky. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler picked the gun up but accidentally caused
it to discharge. The boy suffered non life threatening injuries. (https://www.courier-
journal.com/story/news/crime/2017/12/03/3-year-old-boy-shoots-himself/917403001/)
• On November 26, 2017, a 3-year old girl found a gun in her house in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. The toddler was left alone with her grandmother who left the gun
unsecured. Thinking it was a toy, the girl picked the gun up and accidentally shot
herself in the leg. (http://www.fox29.com/news/police-3-year-old-shot-inside-
kingsessing-home)
• On November 14, 2017, a 3-year old in St. Cloud, Minnesota, was rushed to the
hospital with a self inflicted gun injury. The toddler found an unsecured gun in his
house and picked it up thinking it was a toy. He accidentally pulled the trigger and shot
himself.
(http://www.fox9.com/news/st-cloud-toddler-shot-gun-storage)
• On November 13, 2017, a 3-year old boy accidentally shot himself in St. Cloud,
Minnesota. The boy was able to reach an unsecured gun in his house, and mistaking it
for a toy, pulled the trigger. (http://www.fox9.com/news/st-cloud-toddler-shot-gun-
storage)
• On November 13, 2017, a 3-year old and his family were looking for a car in a used
car lot in Louisville, Kentucky, when he found a gun in one of the cars. Thinking it was
a toy, the toddler picked it up and accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting himself.
(http://www.wdrb.com/story/36833459/3-year-old-boy-in-serious-condition-after-
shooting-himself-in-the-head-near-jeffersontown)
• On November 11, 2017, a 3-year old, in Memphis, Tennessee, found an unsecured
gun and shot and killed her 1-year old sister. The children were left alone in a
bedroom with a gun on the bed. The elder sibling began playing with the gun as she
thought it was a toy and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36813231/infant-shot-in-critical-condition)
• On November 10, 2017, a 2-year old in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, found a 9mm shot
and killed himself. Mistaking it for a toy, the toddler picked the gun up and accidentally
pulled the trigger. (http://6abc.com/2-year-old-boy-dies-after-shooting-in-
olney/2623845/)
• On November 3, 2017, a 3-year-old in Arnaudville, Los Angeles, accidentally shot and
killed himself. The boy found a 9mm gun in his uncle’s house and mistaking it for a
toy, he picked it up and accidentally shot himself.
(http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crime_police/article_c53dd7ce-c0cf-
11e7-9798-fbd77137f14b.html)
• On October 10, 2017, a 3-year old boy found an unsecured gun in his house in
Jackson, Mississippi. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler picked the gun up and
accidentally shot himself in the stomach.
(http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/36567281/3-year-old-in-critical-but-stable-
condition-after-shooting-self)
• On September 28, 2017, a 3-year old toddler in Detroit, Michigan found a gun at his
babysitter’s house. Not knowing that the gun was real, the toddler pulled the trigger
shooting two other 3-year olds.
(https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2017/09/28/dearborn-
shooting-toddler/712101001/)
• On September 28, 2017, a 2-year old toddler in Virginia found a gun in his house that
was secured in a place with easy access. The toddler managed to take off the safety
lock, and thinking it was a toy, pulled the trigger. The bullet struck him, but fortunately
was left with non-life threatening injuries (http://wtkr.com/2017/09/28/newport-news-
child-hospitalized-after-accidentally-shooting-himself/)
• On September 28, 2017, a 3-year-old boy in Parma, Ohio, accidentally shot and killed
himself. The boy entered his car, and when his father turned away for a brief moment,
grabbed a gun secured in a console. Thinking it was a toy, the 3-year old caused the
gun to discharge, killing himself. (http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/cuyahoga-county/4-
year-old-boy-dies-after-accidentally-shooting-self-in-head-at-parma-home/479384173)
• On September 24, 2017, a 2-year-old boy in St. Louis, Missouri, found an unsecured
gun and accidentally shot and killed his father, Darrion, Noble. The toddler mistook the
0.38 caliber handgun for a toy gun, and caused it to discharge, striking his father in the
neck. (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-killed-by-shot-fired-
by-young-child-playing-with/article_936a6bc7-39a1-51ca-b15b-2f058f9326bd.html)
• On September 22, 2017, a 3-year old boy in Center City, Philadelphia, was in the
backseat of a parked car with his 24-year old uncle in the passenger seat. Soon, the
boy found an unsecured gun, and thinking it was a toy, pulled the trigger. The bullet
struck the 24-year old victim's shoulder. (http://www.fox29.com/news/local-news/3-
year-old-shoots-uncle-in-center-city-police-say)
• On September 21, 2017, a 4-year-old boy in Kansas City, Missouri, found an
unsecured gun in his house, when his father was not nearby. He immediately picked it
up, and mistaking it for a toy caused it to discharge, shooting himself.
(http://fox4kc.com/2017/09/21/young-boy-hospitalized-after-accidentally-shooting-
himself-at-kansas-city-apartment/)
• On September 10, 2017, a 3 year old from Madison Township, Ohio, shot and killed
himself after finding an unsecured gun in the kitchen. The toddler thought the gun was
a toy and accidentally caused the gun to discharge, striking him in the head.
(http://www.whio.com/news/local/ohio-year-old-dies-after-apparently-shooting-
himself/ZrXiGDLZlbM5wtxCaf4MON/)
• On September 8, 2017, a 4 -year old was shot and killed by her 2-year old brother,
who found a gun in their car. The mother left the children unsupervised at a truck stop
in Opal, Virginia, and thinking it was a toy, the toddler accidentally pulled the trigger.
http://www.fauquier.com/news/girl-survives-accidental-shooting-in-
opal/article_c94da3b8-972f-11e7-bd99-0b3cb1bac33b.html)
• On September 8, 2017, a 4 -year old boy in Milan, Indiana, shot and injured himself.
The toddler located an unsecured gun in the house and played with it. He accidentally
pulled the trigger, striking his abdomen. (http://fox59.com/2017/09/08/police-
investigating-after-4-year-old-boy-finds-loaded-firearm-shoots-self-in-ripley-county/)
• On September 5, 2017, a 4 year old girl in San Antonio, Texas, shot and killed herself
after finding an improperly stored gun in the couch of her house. Thinking the gun was
a toy, the girl began to play with it and accidentally caused the gun to discharge.
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/crime/article/SAPD-4-year-old-girl-in-
critical-condition-after-12173191.php)
• On September 5, 2017, a 11 year old boy in Memphis Tennessee shot himself in the
arm after finding a gun at a bus stop. Not knowing the gun was real, the boy picked it
up causing the gun to discharge.
(http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2017/09/05/police-respond-to-child-
shooting-memphis/632381001/)
• On September 3, 2017, a 9-year old boy in Horn Lake, Mississippi accidentally shot
and killed himself. The boy found the gun in his car while looking for something, and
not knowing the gun was real, pulled the trigger.
(http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/a-horn-lake-ms-boy-dies-after-police-
said-he-accidentally-shot-himself/803841036)
• On September 2, 2017, a 9-year old boy in Haltom City, Texas, shot and killed himself
when the gun he was playing with accidentally discharged. The boy found the gun in a
drawer of the master bedroom and assumed the gun was fake. (http://www.star-
telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article171061447.html)
• On August 31, 2017, two children found a gun in their house in Redan, Georgia. Not
knowing that the gun was real, the children began playing with the gun and caused it
to discharge. The bullet struck one of the children in the leg
(http://www.11alive.com/news/police-child-shot-in-leg-while-playing-with-gun-in-
dekalb/469785897)
• On August 28, 2017, 5-year old Elise Belfast from Scarborough Main, accidentally
shot and killed herself. When she and her father were spending time in their
grandparents’ house, Elise reached into her dad’s backpack and retrieved a .45
caliber gun. Thinking it was a toy, Elise accidentally pulled the trigger
(https://bangordailynews.com/2017/08/30/news/portland/belfast-girl-5-shot-herself-
with-fathers-gun-police-say/)
• On August 28, 2017, a 5-year old boy in Kalamazoo, Michigan found an unsecured
gun in his house and played with it, thinking it was a toy. The child accidentally pulled
the trigger, shooting himself in the hand.
(http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/kalamazoo/5-year-old-kalamazoo-boy-finds-gun-
accidentally-shoots-himself-in-the-hand/468532225)
• On August 27, 2017, 26- year old Kevin Chang called the police reporting that he was
shot in the back. Investigators say that a toddler at his house found a gun on his bed
and accidentally caused it to discharge not knowing the gun was real.
(http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170827/one-accidentally-shot-another-
arrested-on-drug-charges-in-mary-esther)On August 24, 2017, a 4 year old, in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, picked up a gun thinking it was toy and accidentally pulled
the trigger. The bullet struck his father, immediately killing him.
(http://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/child-kills-father-in-accidental-
shooting/article_f0b3e8ff-9ec2-5551-ab38-eb938c229603.html)
• On August 23, 2017, a 3-year old in Arkansas found a gun left on the table in his
house and accidentally shot himself. While the parents were in a dispute, the toddler,
thinking it was a toy, picked the gun up and pulled the trigger while playing with it.
(http://wreg.com/2017/08/23/three-year-old-critical-following-accidental-shooting/)
• On August 21, 2017, an 8-year old boy in Syracuse, New York shot and killed himself
after finding a gun in his house. He thought the gun was a toy and picked it up to play
with it, but accidentally caused the gun to discharge
,(http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/08/syracuse_2nd_grader_shot_killed
_wanted_to_grow_up_to_be_a_ninja_to_protect_his_d.html)
• On August 19, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Memphis Tennessee was pronounced dead
after he found an unsecured gun in his house. The boy picked it up to play with it, but
accidentally caused the gun to fire, shooting and killing himself.
(http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36174142/boy-4-dies-after-accidentally-
shooting-himself)
• On August 19, 2017, a 3-year old boy in Hartford, Connecticut, found his father’s
unsecured gun and picked it up to play with it. The toddler, not knowing the gun was
real, accidentally caused the gun to discharge, shooting himself in the shoulder.
(http://www.wfsb.com/story/36172716/three-year-old-hartford-boy-injured-after-
accidental-shooting)
• On August 18, 2017, a 4-year old girl in Memphis, Tennessee was pronounced dead
few hours after she found a gun and accidentally pulled the trigger. While spending
time with her family, the toddler found an unsecured gun and picked it up thinking it
was a toy. (http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36170855/girl-4-critical-after-
accidental-shooting-on-egan-drive)
• On August 9, 2017, a 10-year old accidentally shot and killed himself upon finding a
gun in their house in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Mistaking the gun for a toy, the elder
child got hold of it and accidentally caused it to discharge.
(http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/12602857-74/police-child-shot-injured-in-west-miffli)
• On August 5, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Crown Point, Indiana, accidentally shot and
killed himself after finding a gun under the bed of his babysitter’s house. Thinking it
was a toy, the toddler began playing with the gun and accidentally pulled the trigger.
(http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-accidental-shooting-
boy-dead-st-0806-20170805-story.html)
• On July 31, 2017, two toddlers were at home with an adult supervisor in Louisville,
when the two found a 9mm gun hidden in their house. Not knowing that the gun was
real, the 3-year old accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting and killing himself.
(http://www.wdrb.com/story/36012344/louisville-man-says-2-year-old-son-died-after-
accidentally-getting-into-his-gun-safe)
• On July 31, 2017, a 4-year old in Tampa Bay found a gun in his house and
accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting and killing himself. Mistaking it for a toy, the
toddler began playing with it and unfortunately pulled the trigger.
(http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/boy-4-fatally-shoots-himself-
with-gun-found-in-tampa-home/2332061)
• On July 26, 2017, a 7-year old boy and a 4-year old girl found a gun in a house in St.
Paul, Minnesota. The 7-year old picked the gun up to play with and accidentally
caused it discharge, shooting and injuring the girl. (http://www.kare11.com/news/girl-4-
accidentally-shot-in-st-paul/459546651)
• On July 13, 2017, a nine year old boy got a hold of his father’s gun in Indianapolis.
Thinking it was a toy gun, the 9-year old played with and accidentally caused the gun
to discharge, shooting himself in the hand. (http://wishtv.com/2017/07/13/police-
investigate-after-child-shot-in-hand-in-indianapolis/?preview_id=677593)
• On July 8, 2017, 3-year old Kash Sharp in Memphis, Tennessee, was pronounced
dead after shooting and killing himself. The toddler got hold of his father’s gun, and
thinking it was a toy, the 3-year old played with it and accidentally pulled the trigger,.
(http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/35839739/family-boy-3-dies-after-
accidentally-shooting-himself)
• On July 7, 2017, a 4-year old girl in Des Moines, Iowa, was playing in her parents’
bedroom unsupervised, when she found a gun under the bed. She immediately began
playing with it after mistaking it for a toy and accidentally caused it to discharge,
shooting herself in the thigh. (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-
and-courts/2017/07/07/4-year-old-shot-her-leg-des-moines-police-say/458500001/)
• On July 7, 2017, a 5-year old was playing in the hallway of his cousin’s house in
Akron, Ohio, when the toddler found a gun. After mistaking it for a toy, he began
playing with the gun while his cousin was asleep and accidentally shot himself in the
left calf.
• On July 4, 2017, 5-year old Jeremiah Brown was pronounced dead immediately after
shooting himself with a 9mm gun. Brown and his 6-year old relative of Winston
County, began playing with it in the master bedroom after mistaking it for a toy. Brown
accidentally caused the gun to discharge and a bullet struck him.
(http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/07/04/child-dies-gun-
accident/450320001/)
• On July 4, 2017, a 5-year old and his 6-year old friend found a gun in the master
bedroom of their house in Mississippi. They were playing with it, when the 6-year old
accidentally caused the 9mm gun to discharge, striking the younger boy in the head,
killing him instantly. (http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/07/04/child-
dies-gun-accident/450320001/)
• On June 28, 2017, an 9-year old in Jacksonville, Florida, was playing with his 8-year
old friend, when the elder one found a gun in a drawer in the bedroom. Thinking it was
a fake gun to play with, the 9-year old accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting his
friend in the torso. (http://www.news4jax.com/news/local/jacksonville/police-8-year-old-
shot-in-northwest-jacksonville)
• On June 28, 2017, 5-year old boy in Greenwood, Mississippi, was playing with his 6-
year old friend, and found a .40 caliber gun under the couch while looking for his
shoes and socks. Not knowing the gun was real, he began playing with it and
accidentally caused it to discharge. The bullet struck the 6-year old in the abdomen
and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
(http://www.news4jax.com/news/local/jacksonville/police-8-year-old-shot-in-northwest-
jacksonville)
• On June 23, 2017, a 3-year old girl found a gun in her house in Ludowici, Georgia.
She then picked it to play with it, and the gun went off, striking her in the
stomach.(http://www.wjcl.com/article/three-year-old-girl-shot-in-long-county/10211629)
• On June 20, 2017, a 3-year old in Michigan accidentally shot and killed himself. The
toddler was playing with his friends outside, when he found a gun on the street.
Thinking it was toy, he picked it up to play with, but in the process accidentally caused
it to discharge. (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-
county/2017/06/20/child-shot-killed-clinton-township-homicide/103042540/)
• On June 19, 2017, a 2-year old boy in Arkansas shot and killed himself after
accidentally pulling the trigger of a gun he found. The toddler was playing around in
the halls of his house, when he picked the gun up to play with it.
(http://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-monroe-four-year-old-death-0619-20170619-
story.html)
• On June 19, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, found a gun at a
family home. The toddler, thinking it was a toy, played with gun and accidentally
caused it to discharge. He shot himself in the face, and was later pronounced dead.
(http://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-monroe-four-year-old-death-0619-20170619-
story.html)
• On June 17, 2017, a 4-year old girl in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was accidentally
shot and killed by her 6-year old sibling. While playing around in the house, the 6-year
old found a gun and accidentally caused it to discharge, not knowing the gun was real.
(http://www.wltx.com/news/local/4-year-old-sc-girl-shot-and-killed-by-6-year-
old/449882519)
• On June 6, 2017, 20 year-old Eric Rivera was shot and killed by police officers after
mistaking a toy gun for a real one in Los Angeles, California. When confronted by the
police, Rivera turned around with a toy gun which prompted the officers to shoot for
self defense. (http://homicide.latimes.com/post/eric-rivera/)
• On June 6, 2017, a 2-year old found a loaded gun in his house in Tennessee. The
toddler accidentally shot his 7-year old cousin while playing with the gun. The cousin
was later pronounced dead and the police were not able find the gun.
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/06/7-year-old-fatally-shot-
toddler-metro-police-say/375262001/
• On June 5, 2017, a 4-year old in Arkansas shot and killed a 29 year old man with a
loaded gun he found. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler began to play with it and
caused the gun to discharge http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/35594959/4-year-
old-accidentally-shoots-kills-man
• On June 3, 2017, a 3-year old in Colorado Springs, found a gun that was improperly
stored, as they were about to move houses. The toddler not knowing the gun was real,
accidentally caused the gun to discharge and shot his 2-year old brother.
http://www.koaa.com/story/35582246/toddler-accidentally-shot-by-sibling-in-colorado-
springs
• On June 3, 2017, a 3-year old found a gun on the second floor of his house in
Pennsylvania. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler accidentally caused it to discharge,
shooting himself in the chest. The toddler was later pronounced dead.
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/06/03/fatal-shooting-delaware-county/
• On May 27, 2017, a 2-year old boy in Oklahoma found a gun in his house and began
playing with it, not knowing it was real and loaded. Few moments later, the toddler
caused the gun to discharge and accidently shot himself.
http://kfor.com/2017/05/27/police-two-year-old-girl-shoots-herself-in-metro-initial-
reports-say-it-was-accidental/
• On May 24, 2017, a 2-year old from Milwaukee was pronounced dead after he shot
and killed himself. The toddler found a handgun that was improperly stored by the
father and not knowing the gun was real and loaded, pulled the trigger.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/05/24/milwaukee-toddler-accidentally-
shoots-himself-dad-arrested/341724001/
• On May 23, 2017, a 3-year old boy in San Angelo, Texas found a loaded handgun
under the coach in his living room and thinking it was a toy, unintentionally caused it to
discharge and shot himself. http://www.ktxs.com/news/police-san-angelo-boy-3-
shoots-self-in-face-investigation-continues3/513140154
• On May 17, 2017, 2-year old Elijah Gatson found a gun in his house in Jacksonville,
Florida. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler played with the gun and unintentionally shot
himself. He was immediately sent to the hospital and is now recovering.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/police-investigating-incident-off-old-middleburg-road
• On May 17, 2017, an 18-month old toddler accidentally shot himself in Nashville,
Tennessee. The father, a police officer, came home after work and found his four
children covered in hair removal lotion. When he took all of them to get cleaned up,
the toddler had quietly escaped and wandered into the bedroom. The toddler picked
up a gun that was on the bed and thinking it was toy, accidentally shot himself in the
face. http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2017/05/17/police-toddler-
wounded-bullet-east-nashville/327094001
• On May 16, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Orange County found a gun at his childcare
provider’s house. The boy thought the gun was fake and picked it up to play with it, but
unintentionally shot and killed himself. http://www.fauquier.com/news/boy-shoots-and-
kills-himself-at-stafford-deputy-s-home/article_b09ea91c-3a5e-11e7-a2c9-
9f481f072263.html
• On May 15, 2017, a 7-year old was unintentionally shot by another child at Moss Bluff
Elementary School, Louisiana. A boy in his first grade class brought a loaded gun to
school, but when the gun fell out of his backpack, another boy picked it up, thinking it
was a toy. He accidentally caused it to discharge striking the boy.
http://www.fauquier.com/news/boy-shoots-and-kills-himself-at-stafford-deputy-s-
home/article_b09ea91c-3a5e-11e7-a2c9-9f481f072263.html
• On May 12, 2017, a 3-year old in South Carolina found a gun in his house while the
dad was outside mowing the lawn. Thinking it was a toy, he started to play with it and
accidentally shot himself.
http://www.independentmail.com/story/news/local/2017/05/12/3-year-old-gunshot-
victim-taken-hosptial/101597818/
• On May 11, 2017, a 4-year old unintentionally shot himself in East Chicago. The
toddler loved playing with toy guns, and found a handgun in his house. Thinking it was
real, he played with it and accidentally caused it to discharge.
http://abc7chicago.com/news/east-chicago-boy-4-killed-in-accidental-shooting-relativs-
say/1979754/
• On May 11, 2017, a 9-year old in Barrow County, Atlanta arrived home after school
and found a gun that his parents did not secure properly. Thinking it was fake, the boy
began playing with it and accidentally caused it to discharge, shooting and killing
himself. http://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/year-old-boy-dies-after-shooting-
himself/Ebf7Okt8S1wHRPWnxD1JtN/
• On April 23, 2017, a 3-year old in Massachusetts found a gun in his house when his
father was asleep. The toddler picked it up to play with it, as he thought it was a toy.
Soon, he unintentionally caused it to discharge and shot himself.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/04/23/vicksburg-child-3-killed-
gunshot/100822734/
• On April 3, 2017, a 2-year old boy in Texas found an unattended gun on the table of
his kitchen. Thinking it was a toy, he started to play with it but unintentionally caused it
discharge, shooting himself in the eye.
http://www.caller.com/story/news/crime/2017/04/03/corpus-christi-father-arrested-
after-2-year-old-shoots-himself/99976024/
• On April 2, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Wisconsin found his mother’s handgun in an
accessible place. Thinking it was a toy, he picked up the gun and unintentionally
caused it to discharge, shooting himself.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2017/04/02/4-year-old-shoots-himself-mothers-
gun-mom-arrested/99964398/
• On April 2, 2017, a 4-year old boy found an unattended gun in his house in Texas.
Thinking it was fake, he played with the gun and unintentionally caused it to discharge,
shooting himself. http://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/bexar-county-sheriffs-deputies-
investigate-child-shot-on-north-side
• On March 27, 2017, 2-year old Benson Jones in North Carolina, was given toys to play
with by his neighbors, including a gun. Not knowing that the gun was real, the toddler
accidentally caused to discharge and shot himself. http://myfox8.com/2017/03/27/2-
year-old-high-point-toddler-shot-himself/
• On March 25, 2017, a 9-year old boy in Detroit was going through his mom’s purse
looking for snacks when he found a gun. He picked it up thinking it was a toy but
accidentally caused it to discharge and shot himself in the hand.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/9-year-old-accidentally-shoots-self-after-finding-gun-in-
moms-purse
• On March 25. 2017, a 4-year old boy in Columbia, South Carolina found a gun
improperly stored in his house, and not knowing it was a real gun, played with. He
accidentally caused it to discharge and shot himself.
http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article140771698.html
• On March 25, 2017, a 2-year old in South Carolina found a gun in her house that was
not properly secured. She picked it up thinking it was a toy, and accidently caused it to
discharge, shooting herself.
http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article140771698.html
• On March 21, 2017 a 2-year old toddler in Tucson found a handgun that the mom had
left loaded on the bed. She turned around to get the holster, when the toddler picked it
up thinking it was a toy, and shot his 9-year old brother.
(http://www.kvoa.com/story/34964775/parents-arrested-in-accidental-shooting-of-child)
• On March 21, 2017, a 4-year old boy in Mount Olivet climbed into a tuck and found a
gun that was improperly stored. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler caused the gun to
discharge and accidentally shot himself. http://www.maysville-
online.com/news/local/robertson-child-dies-from-gunshot-wound/article_cc0f6dac-
4a3d-53f1-ab48-a8166109d3ac.html
• On March 17, 2017, 2 boys who were coming back from Chuck E. Cheese in Fort
Worth, Texas, found a 0.380 caliber pistol in their car. The 3 year-old toddlers picked
the gun up and not knowing it was real, pulled the trigger, hitting one of them in the
arm, and the other in the back. http://www.star-
telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article139272063.html
• On March 16, 2017, Yasha Ross found a gun in the house that the toddler and the
mom were visiting in Mount Washington. Thinking it was a toy, she began to play with
and accidentally caused it to discharge, shooting herself in the upper chest.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article139272063.html
• On March 10, 2017, a 6-year old boy found a gun in his house in Baltimore, and
thinking it was a toy, accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting his 4-year old brother.
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/03/10/police-4-year-old-shot-by-6-year-old-brother/
• On March 6, 2017, a 17-month girl in Cincinnati, was shot by her 3-year old brother.
The toddler found a gun in a shoebox hidden by the father, and thinking it was toy,
caused it to discharge. http://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/police-1-year-old-girl-shot-in-
west-price-hill
• On March 2, 2017 in Florida, a 3-year old boy was left unattended in his mom’s car
when she heard a loud bang. She did not think much of it and checked to see that the
the 3-year old was fine. It was later that she realized that the toddler had thought the
gun was a toy and accidently caused it to discharge, shattering the car window.
http://news.brevardtimes.com/2017/03/florida-woman-arrested-after-3-year-old.html
• On February 24, 2017, a 3 year old in South Carolina was left in the car alone when
he found a gun that belonged to his father. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler played
with and accidentally shot himself. http://www.wltx.com/news/local/3-year-old-shot-in-
orangeburg_/414407034
• On February 21, 2017, a 2-year old in North Carolina, found his parents’ handgun in
the side door of his car and played with it thinking it was toy. The toddler caused it to
discharge and fatally shot himself. http://myfox8.com/2017/02/21/2-year-old-boy-
accidentally-shoots-himself-with-parents-gun/
• On February 9, 2017, 56-year old Don Perkins in Portland Oregon threatened to kill
himself. When two police officers confronted him, he pointed a replica gun at them and
was immediately shot thinking it was real. http://koin.com/2017/02/09/suspect-injured-
in-officer-involved-shooting/
• On February 9, 2017, a 17-year old boy in Portland, Oregon, was said to be a suspect
in a robbery and was confronted by police officers. When the boy pointed a replica gun
at the officers, he was shot and killed immediately. http://koin.com/2017/02/10/mayor-
police-chief-to-address-police-shootings/
• On February 3, 2017, a 15-year old boy in West Virginia was spotted by police officers
hiding behind a bush next to the police station. When confronted, he pointed a replica
gun at them and was warned to drop the weapon. When the boy refused, he was shot
three times. The police later confirmed that the wounds were not life-threatening.
http://www.wvillustrated.com/story/34421889/police-teen-shot-after-displaying-real-
looking-replica-gun
• On February 2, 2017, a 3-year old in South Carolina found a gun in his house.
Thinking it was a toy, the little boy played with it causing it to discharge. He was
pronounced dead later that afternoon.
http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/34416198/neighbors-react-to-accidental-fatal-
shooting-of-3-year-old-boy-in-horry-county
• On January 24, 2017, a 4-year old in Tampa, Florida, found a gun that belonged to his
mother’s boyfriend. He then accidently shot himself in the chest and was immediately
rushed to the hospital.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/hillsborough-deputies-on-scene-of-
apparent-shooting-of-4-year-old/2310638
• On January 22, 2017, 4-year old Avion in Auburndale, Florida, found a loaded pistol
gun in his mother’s girlfriend's bag. The toddler, thinking it was a toy, played with the
gun and accidently shot himself in the face
• On January 18, 2017, a 22-year old mother in Chicago was charged for misdemeanor
child endangerment after her five-year old daughter accidently shot herself in the
stomach. The child found a handgun in her mom’s purse and thinking it was a toy,
caused the gun to discharge
• On January 17, 2017, a 9-year old boy in Springfield Tennessee was shot in the arm
by his 5-year old cousin. The 5-year old found a handgun in a bedroom and caused it
to discharge, mistaking it for a toy. (newschannel5.com)
• On December 22, 2016, a 73-year old man in Baltimore was approached by three
young men, including a 13-year old. They threatened to carjack him, as the 13-year
old pulled out a replica gun. Thinking it was a handgun, the victim, a former police
officer and now a private investigator shot the boy in the head, putting him in critical
condition.
• On December 20, 2016, 26-year old Cody Hardman was shot and killed by police
officers in Stonewood, West Virginia. A SWAT Team attempted to take Cody into
custody, when he pointed a pellet gun at the officers. Mistaking the weapon for a .45
caliber, the officers immediately shot and killed him.
• On December 12, 2016, a 2-year old in Ohio found a gun in his house that belonged to
his well respected father. Thinking it was a toy, the toddler played with the gun causing
it to charge. He fatally shot himself and was later pronounced dead.
• On December 11, 2016, 2016, 44-year old Amber Lewis in Bullhead Arizona was shot
and killed by officers. The police arrived at her house after receiving a threatening call
from Lewis and found her pointing a handgun at the officers. In defense, officers shot
her and were later informed that the gun was a not lethal gun, but instead a replica.
(12news.com)
• On November 23, 2016, two 10-year old boys were playing with a real gun thinking it
was a toy. One of the boys caused the gun to discharge, killing the other boy in Troy,
West Virginia.(Ref: metronews.com)
• On November 13, 2016, a 3-year old boy was shot and killed in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
The 3-year old and his friend had found a gun in the house and had been playing with
it, causing it to discharge and hurt the boy. (Ref: fox2detroit.com)
• On October 27, 2016, 3-year old Jerome Green was shot and killed by his 5-year old
brother in Topping Avenue, Kansas. The 5-year old brother had found real handgun,
• On October 25, 2016, 25—year old Brandon Jones and 25—year old Chelsea Porter
were shot and killed by the police in Elkton, Maryland. Brandon and Chelsea Porter
were wanted on gun and drug charges. When they were found in a motel room, they
were shot after both pointed a replica gun which were assumed to be real handguns.
(Ref: theguardian.com)
• On October 24, 2016, a 45—year old man and was shot by police officers in
Lanesboro, Minnesota. Kristofer Youngquist was confronted by police officers who
was believed to be involved in a domestic assault. Youngquist pointed a pellet gun at
the officers, but was immediately shot thinking he was pointing a handgun. (Ref:
theguardian.com)
• On October 16, 2016, 26—year old Micah Jester, was shot and killed by two police
officers in Austin, Texas. Her husband called 911 and reported that Micah had a gun
in her hand and was acting erratically. When the officers approached her, she refused
to put down her gun that the officers assumed was a real handgun. Later, investigators
confirmed that the gun was not real, and that she was holding a BB gun. (Ref:
theguardian.com)
• On October 10, 2016, a 26—year old male was shot and killed by officers after
mistaking his fake gun for real. The 26 - year old robbed a CVS pharmacy and
attempted to flee the scene. When surrounded, he pointed an air pistol at the officers
and was immediately shot in defense. (Ref: theguardian.com)
• On October 3, 2016, police officers in Los Angeles, received a phone call notifying
them that there was an armed man on the street. When officers approached him, he
pointed the gun at them and was immediately shot in reflex. Investigators later
confirmed that the weapon was a replica gun and would not have caused any harm.
(http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/10/03/65314/suspect-shot-by-officers-probing-report-
of-armed-m/)
• On October 2, 216, 16—year old Daniel Perez was shot and killed by police officers in
Los Angeles, California. The police officers believed Perez had the “desire to end his
own life” after getting a call from Perez. He later pointed a replica gun at the officers,
but was shot thinking it was a loaded handgun.
• On September 14, 2016 13year old Tyree King was fatally shot in Columbus, Ohio. A
- police officer mistakenly shot him because he was carrying a replica BB gun.
(Ref: Washington Post)
• On September 10, 2016 69year old Dennis Stanley was shot and killed in Montcalm,
West Virginia. A police officer shot Dennis after he pulled a gun from his pants. The gun
turned out to be a replica gun. (Ref: WVMetroNews)
• On August 28, 2016 a 25year old man was shot and killed during a domestic violence
incidence in Phoenix, Arizona. The man was carrying a replica BB gun that police
thought was a weapon. (Ref: abc15.com)
• On August 21, 2016 a 35year old Steve Sengourynga allegedly pointed a toy replica
gun and threatened to kill another man with it in Fresno, California. A police officer
arrived at the scene and the man pointed the replica gun at the officer as well. The
police officer shot the man carrying the replica gun. (Ref: fresnobee.com)
• On August 21, 2016 a 31year old man was shot and killed by police because he was
holding a replica toy gun in New London, Wisconsin. The man had history of PTSD,
bipolar diseases, and depression. The toy gun was thought to be his 14year old son’s
toy. (Ref: wbay.com)
• On August 19,2016 Marcelo Luna, a male in his 40s, was shot and killed in Los
Angeles, CA. Marcelo was carrying a “bayonetstyle weapon” and vandalizing cars
when he was shot by police officers. The weapon did not have any bullets or a stock.
Marcelo’s girlfriend stated he was suffering from mental health issues. (Ref: abc7.com)
• On August 16, 2016 a 53year old man was shot and killed by a SWAT team during a
highrisk search warrant in Apache Junction, Arizona. The suspect was carrying a toy
replica BB gun. (Ref: abc15.com)
• On June 18, 2016 a 34year old man was pulled over for drunk driving in Huntsville,
Alabama. He was shot and killed by a police officer after resisting arrest. The suspect
was carrying a replica toy hand gun. (Ref: al.com)
• On May 24, 2016 a 15year old boy was shot and injured in a park in Santa Rosa,
California. The boy was carrying a toy gun and was thought to have orchestrated an
“attempted suicide by police” act. (Ref: latimes.com)
• On May 7, 2016 21year old Lionel Gibson was shot and killed by six officers in Long
Beach, California. Gibson was carrying an airsoft replica assault rifle used for military
practice. (Ref: homicide.latimes.com)
• On April 27, 2016 a 13year old boy was shot and wounded by two officers in
Baltimore, Maryland. The boy was carrying a toy gun that looked similar to a military
and police pistol. (Ref: theroot.com)• On March 2, 2015, a 6‐year old boy was injured in Harris County, Texas after - he was shot by his 5‐year old brother. The children were playing inside their
- On March 1, 2014, a 5-year-old boy accidentally shot his father in an Oklahoma City store. (Ref: Talkingpointsmemo.com)
- On March 1, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio, an 8 -year-old boy was shot and killed by his brother while visiting their uncle. The boy said he thought it was a BB gun. (Ref: newschannel5.com)
- On February 15, 2014, a 13-year-old teenager accidentally shot his friend while showing him a rifle. (Ref: Daily Hos News)
- On February 7, 2014, in Sacramento, CA, a 16-year-old boy got shot in the abdomen, while playing with a gun, with 3 other boys in a car. They boys said, they thought it was a BB gun. (Ref: The Sacramento Bee)
- On February 5, 2014, in Oxnard CA, two Oxnard police officers shot and critically wounded a 42-year-old woman carrying two replica gun which looked real. The woman was transported to hospital. (Ref. AP, Feb 7, 2014).
- In 2013, Canton Police Department investigated 118 incidences involving fake guns that looked like real guns, in Canton Ohio alone. Canton police said," Unfortunately fake guns are being manufactured to look more realistic looking & look more indistinguishable from genuine guns". (Ref. Editorial- Canton Rep.com)
- On December 24, 2013, 50-year old Xavier Hawkins dressed as Santa was shot from behind when he tried to approach three excited babies in Southeast Washington. Hawkins was rushed to a nearby hospital and treated. The shooting scene was captured by WJLA (channel 7). (Ref: The Washington Post)
- On November 16, 2013, 14 year old Nick King was shot by a police officer for carrying a fake gun in Battle Creek, Michigan. King was moved to a nearby hospital to undergo treatment. (Ref: FOX17 Michigan)
- On Oct. 22, 2013, in Santa Rosa, CA., police officer shot and killed Andy Lopez, a 13-year old boy for carrying a airsoft gun, which police say resembled to a real gun, and he mistook the replica gun with the AK-47 assault rifle.(Ref. Register Citizen).
- On Sept. 20, 2013 in Detroit Michigan, a 9-year-old student at the Southgate Montessori Academy School was suspended indefinitely for bringing a toy gun to school that looked very real.
- On Sept. 12, 2013, in Virginia Beach, Virginia a 13-year-old student was suspended for the remainder of school year, when was seen shooting his toy pellet gun, which looked very real, near a school bus. 3 other 7th graders were disciplined as well. (US News).
- On Aug. 2013, in Carrolton, Texas City council banned the carrying of the fake gun (facsimile firearm) to school property.
- On May 30, 2013, in Calvert County, a 5-year-old boy brought his cowboy style cap gun to school bus, showing it to his friend. He got suspended from school.
- On April 9, 2013 in Greensville S. Carolina, Temorej Smith a 3-year-old boy accidently shot himself in the head & killed died. Police said the toddler and his 7-year-old sister were playing with the brightly colored pink handgun which they thought was a toy. The toddler was in the bedroom, and his grandparents were in the living room when the gun went out. (AP, Huffington Post).
*Fact: In California, it is a crime to brandish a look-alike gun in public. Ref. (injury.findlaw.com)-Airsoft guns-Find law-Accidents and injuries - On April 2013, in Oakland, police officer, shot & seriously wounded, a burglary suspect carrying a gun, which turned out to be a fake gun. (Ref. “Care”).
- On Friday, Jan. 4, 2012, in Brownsville Texas, police officer, shot and killed Jaime Gonzales, a middle school student an 8 graders at Cumming Middle school, for having a gun in his hand, which turned out to be an airsoft pellet gun resembled a black Gluck. (Ref. AP, MSNBC, KVEO-TV).
- On Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012, two men 23, and 17 years –old face assault charges for pointing a toy gun, an “airsoft gun” at a woman while she was driving. The weapon resembled a real assault rifle. (Ref. Fox 45 top stories).
- In California, 1330 school suspensions were issued to students for bringing toy gun (imitation firearms) to school. (2010-2011 academic year) 70 students were expelled because of it. (Ref. Center for public Integrity-State data analyzed)
- On October 23, 2011, Javier Gonzalez was passed outside a hotel after a costume party in San Jose, California. Javier was shot by policeman, who had mistaken his toy gun for a real one. In 2013, San Jose lost a lawsuit against Gonzalez, paying $4,950,000 to his name. (Ref: San Jose Mercury News)
- In September 2011, Robert Martin was accidently shot by his 11 year-old relative in Henderson, Nevada. A real gun, stored in the child’s toy box, was mistaken for a toy gun. (Ref: FOX5, Nevada)
- On Saturday Jan. 29?, 2011, a 39-Year –old Oakland man shot& killed by an Oakland police officer, after pointing a gun, which turned out to be a replica assault rifle.
- In 2011, in Miami Florida, police shot and killed, a 57-year-old man who was carrying a realistic looking replica gun.
- In December of 2010, 13-year old Rohayent Gomez was shot for carrying a fake airsoft pistol in Glassell Park, California. Gomez was left paralyzed due to the shooting. In 2012, Gomez won a $24 million lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department. (Ref. LA Times)
- On May 6, 2010, in Silver Spring County, Montgomery, a 7 grader was arrested, and charged with second degree assault, after he accidently shot another student with an airsoft gun in the belly who was transported to a hospital for injuries. (Ref. Washington Post).
- On Nov. 2009, in Broward County Florida, Samuel Burgos, a 7-year-old, was suspended, then expelled from school for bringing a toy gun to school. (CNN)
- On May 21, 2009, in New Hampshire, two Pelham Hi-school students were arrested for bringing toy gun to school. School was put on lock down.
- On May 11, 2009, a deputy in Palmdale, CA., shot a 15-Year-old boy who was playing “Cop & Rubbers” with a toy gun while he was riding a bicycle and brandishing a weapon. Police said they ordered him to drop the gun, and when he refused, they shot him. (Ref. Brains.org).
- On Sunday August 31, 2008, In Los Angeles, California, Inglewood Police Shot and killed a homeless man who, police said had a gun in his waistband. The gun turned out to be a silver toy gun!
- On May 5, 2008, in Southaven, Mississippi, five elementary school students were suspended for bringing two realistic looking toy guns (pellet guns) to school. The toy guns’ orange safety tips were painted black.
- On February 6, 2008, in Okaloosa County, Florida, the Niceville Police Department responded to a drive-by BB gun shooting which caused an_ eye injury to a young innocent bystander. BB guns are considered toy replica guns.
- On January 6, 2008 in Belleville Illinois, a 39-year-old man was, shot by police when the man pulled out a realistic looking gray toy pistol from his waistband.
- On October 26, 2007, in San Diego, California, a gun scare caused a lock down at Juan Diego School. The gun turned out to be a toy gun (Air soft replica of a Berretta 92).
- On October 5, 2007, in Bakersfield, California, a 49-year-old man, Frank Ramos Sr., was fatally shot and killed by two police officers because he was holding a gun while standing in the street. The gun turned out to be an imitation toy firearm.
- On June 22, 2007, in West Memphis, Arkansas, a 12-year-old boy, De Aunta Farrow, was shot and killed by a Memphis police officer because he was holding a toy gun in his hand; the police officer said it looked real.
- On April 8, 2007, in Mount Vernon, New York, a 13-year-old boy was arrested by the police when he tried to rob a Chinese restaurant, with what police said was something that looked like a 38-caliber handgun. The gun turned out to be a plastic Airsoft toy gun. The police officer said he was worried that these kids can get shot for nothing.
- Another tragedy involving toy guns occurred on November 5, 1997, when an explosion of a machine wrapping popping caps for toy guns and play hand grenades claimed the life of four innocent female workers (Juana Martinez Gonzalez, 33, Maria Valenzuela, 39, Gloria Jaramilo, 26) at the Imperial Toy Factory in Downtown Los Angeles. The explosion also injured about two dozen others. Several were hospitalized. 58. Air guns are considered toys, but they have caused injuries and deaths, especially in boys 10 to 14 years old. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, and Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri (published in “Pediatrics,” the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Oct. 1997) reported that of 101 children hospitalized for air gun injuries, three died, fifteen were blinded permanently, twenty five suffered permanent visual loss, and half of those 101 needed surgery. 59.
- On June 21, 1997, an entire terminal at Los Angeles International Airport was evacuated, grounding at least 15 flights, when a cigarette lighter shaped like a pistol was mistaken for a real gun. 60.
- On March 1, 1997, a 6-year-old boy’s toy gun caused the evacuation of the San Jose International Airport, in California. More than 20 flights were affected. 61.
- On January 31, 1997, in Long Island, New York, Laurie Leitner, a 26-year-old woman, was shot in the chest and killed by a West Islip Police Officer because the police officer thought the gun Laurie carried was real; it turned out to be a toy. 62.
- On October 23, 1996, in North Hills, California, a 10-year-old boy was shot and wounded in the chest by a nail gun, while trick-or treating. Nail guns are considered toys. 63.
- In December 1995, police almost shot a 10-year-old boy hiding in the bushes pointing a gun at them. The gun turned out to be a toy. 64.
- On November 4, 1995, in National City (South of San Diego), California, Johnny Angel Navarrete, an 18-year-old boy, was shot in front of his house after an argument with several youths. When he pulled a replica gun (a cigarette lighter) from his waistband that looked like a real gun, another youth pulled out his real gun, and shot him thinking the lighter was genuine. Johnny died two days later. 65.
- On Memorial Day, May 29, 1995, in Carson Park, California, Freddy Palacio, a 12-yearold was shot twice by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy who mistook the $2 toy gun for a .22 caliber pistol. 66.
- On Sunday, April 2, 1995, in the City of Torrance, California, 18-year-old Santiago Lopez Garcia was shot to death by the police because he had a cigarette lighter that resembled a gun in his hand. Ironically, this was the same day that we were collecting the toy guns, and educating the children about the danger of toy guns and real guns in a park only a few miles away. 67.
- On April 3, 1995, police almost shot Robert Alvarez, a 28-year-old man, in East L.A., California, because he had a lighter in the shape of a semiautomatic pistol. He was arrested and charged with suspected brandishing a firearm “on a public thoroughfare.” 68.
- In October of 1994, Nicholas Heyward Jr., a 13-year-old boy and straight-A student of Brooklyn, NY, was shot in the chest and killed by a police officer when he was playing with his toy gun. .
- Jamiel Johnson, a 16-year-old boy, was shot and wounded on the same day, and in the same city as above, for the same reason.
- In Montgomery, Alabama, a 7-year-old boy was shot by his own 9-year-old brother while playing with the gun they found in the glove compartment of their dad’s car. They thought it was a toy gun. The boy died, even though this happened in a hospital parking lot.
- In 1994, toy guns were reportedly used in 329 felonies in New York alone.
- In 1993, in Las Vegas, Nevada, a 3-year-old girl found her father’s loaded revolver. Thinking it was a toy she aimed, shot, and killed her pregnant mother who was asleep on the sofa. The mother died on the way to the hospital.
- In 1991, a 3-year-old boy, in Northern California, was shot and killed by his grandfather while playing mistakenly using his real gun, instead of his grandson’s toy gun.
- In 1990, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Justice, between January 1985 and September 1989, police departments nationwide reported confiscating 31,650 imitation guns during crime-related incidences.
- Statistics from U.S. Bureau of Justice also show that in 1987, over 1400 toy guns were used in crimes in New York City alone. This is a sharp increase (80%) from four years earlier.
- In 1987, Leonard Falcon, a 19-year-old boy from Rancho Cucamonga, California, was shot and killed by a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy while playing with a laser tag gun, which resembled a real gun.
- In 1987, a 12-year-old boy was shot and killed by a police officer in San Francisco, California. His toy gun was mistaken for real gun.
- In 1983, a 5-year-old boy was shot and killed at his home, by an Orange County Police Officer because he was holding a toy gun.
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