Hammond toddler fatally shoots himself with father’s gun, sheriff says
HAMMOND, La. (WVUE) - A three-year-old boy in Hammond accidentally shot and killed himself after gaining access to his father’s firearm, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the 48000 block of Red Fox Drive after a 911 call reported gunshots around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.
Officials said the boy found a gun stored in a bedroom and shot himself. His father attempted to revive him until first responders arrived, but the toddler died at the scene.
Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the gun was between the mattress and the box spring, accessible at eye level to the child. The father reportedly kept the firearm for safety reasons but did not secure it properly.
Sheriff Sticker emphasized the importance of storing guns unloaded, in a safe, or with a trigger lock to prevent such tragedies.
The boy’s father may face negligent homicide charges, but no charges have been filed yet as the investigation continues.
In a separate incident Tuesday in Goodbee, a 15-year-old girl was accidentally shot while a male relative was handling a gun in another room. She died from her injuries Wednesday night.
Additionally, a 4-year-old child was fatally shot in a home in Lafayette around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, according to police. That investigation remains ongoing.
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