Family preaches gun safety after boy's accidental death

Vigil held for Jacksonville boy who died after accidentally shooting himself

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A family preached the importance of gun safety at a vigil Friday evening to remember an 8-year-old Jacksonville boy who, police said, died after he accidentally shot himself in the chest with a handgun in Port Orange.

Police said Christopher Scurry Jr. and his 12-year-old brother were visiting their grandparents in Port Orange when it appears Christopher accidentally shot himself with a 9 mm handgun Friday. His brother performed CPR, but Christopher died at the hospital an hour later.

Investigators said they discovered the gun came from SCCY Industries, a gun manufacturer in Daytona Beach, and was one of 43 stolen by one of the company's employees in 2009. Police said they're working to determine how the gun got inside Christopher's grandparents' home.

At the memorial service Friday to remember Christopher, family and friends came to pray and send a message to the community.

"My son had a purpose. God designed him for it. I love God for it. And I'm just going to continue to praise him," said Davina Gooden, Christopher's mother.

Gooden continues to lean on her faith to cope with Christopher's death.

"I just thank God. I just, I always fall back into that same place because God has just been so good through this whole thing. He's given me strength. He's encouraged me. And I just thank God. I totally thank God for everything," Gooden said. 

The mother said she hopes something good can come from the loss of her youngest child.

"In my son's honor -- Christopher, I love you son. I love you more than you'll ever know. But you knew I loved you just as you loved me. But in my son's honor, y'all, put down the guns. Lock up the guns. Whatever you've got to do," Gooden said. 

Police continue to investigate exactly how Christopher got his hands on the loaded gun.