A 4-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself with a handgun that he found in the family vehicle on Friday has died, according to Davenport police.
Officers responded around 6:30 p.m. to AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Haines City, the Davenport Police Department said in a news release. The boy’s parents had driven him there after he entered the family vehicle while preparing for an evening outing, found a hidden handgun, and accidentally shot himself, the release states.
Upon arriving, the boy was airlifted in critical condition to a hospital in Orlando, police said, adding the parents were cooperating with investigators.
The police department said in an update Sunday morning that the boy — identified as CM — was pronounced dead around 3 p.m. Saturday.
The update shared on Sunday sheds more light on the circumstances of the shooting.
At the family’s home along Citrus Landing Boulevard, M’ father was in the restroom and his mother was in her bedroom when she reported hearing a “pop” and initially believed one of her children had broken something, according to the update. Approaching her two other children in the living room, she saw that they were both preoccupied with earpods and electronic devices, the update states.
Now looking for M, the mother noticed the interior door leading to the garage was left open. The mother entered the garage and found M in the driver’s seat of the family vehicle with a single gunshot wound to his head, police said, adding the hospital that his parents then immediately drove him to is about two miles from the home.
Chosen was excited about the family outing and detectives believe he entered the vehicle to wait for the rest of the family, when he found the handgun under the driver’s seat.Davenport police news release Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 (excerpt)
“This is a tragic accident. As a father and grandfather, I can’t imagine what (the parents) are going through right now. Our prayers are certainly with the (family) as they endure this heartbreaking tragedy,” Davenport police Chief Steve Parker said in a statement.
Detectives recovered the firearm from the vehicle, describing it as a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber handgun, according to the update.
There’s no word on potential charges at the time of this report. Thus, News 6 is presently not naming the parents.
Check back here for updates.
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source: clickorlando
