GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – Deputies responded just before 5 p.m. to a home on Northwest 44th Place in the Rustlewood neighborhood after receiving reports of a child who had been shot.
When deputies and Alachua County Fire Rescue arrived, they found the girl suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Despite the severity of the injury, authorities said she was conscious and alert as first responders began providing aid.
Emergency crews rushed the child to UF Health Shands Hospital. Deputies also blocked intersections along the route to help clear traffic so she could reach the trauma center as quickly as possible. Officials say she is expected to survive.
Detectives investigating the shooting determined the gun belonged to the homeowner, who was out of town at the time. Another family member had been staying at the residence to house-sit and had brought two children, including the victim, to the home.
Investigators say the children went upstairs into a bedroom where they found an unsecured firearm.
“They end up finding a unsecure firearm in one of the rooms and they start handling it, that is when the accidental discharge happened and that is when law enforcement was called,” said Lisa Sacaccio, spokesperson for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
After reviewing the circumstances, deputies determined no crime occurred.
Sacaccio said the homeowner lives alone and does not have children, and the person entrusted with watching the home was unaware that a firearm was inside the residence.
“After looking at all the circumstances in this incident it was established that a crime did not occur at the time and that is because the person who left and was out of town and who owns the residence does not have children and the person who they entrusted in the home’s care while they were gone was not aware that a firearm was in the home,” Sacaccio said.
The sheriff’s office says the incident is a reminder of the importance of gun safety and securing firearms when others may have access to a home.
“It is important that if you own a gun, to be a responsible gun owner,” Sacaccio said. “That means if you’re away and someone has access to your home or just another person is in there to lock your gun up.”
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office says it offers free gun locks to the community. Residents who want one can stop by the sheriff’s office or contact the agency for more information on firearm safety resources.
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Source: wcjb
