CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A 14-year-old boy died after his 16-year-old friend fired a gun while he was handling it “recklessly” just after midnight on Wednesday, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said around 12:16 a.m., they received a call about a young man who had been shot in Middleburg, and when they arrived, they found the 14-year-old boy with a single gunshot wound.
The boy was transported to HCA Orange Park Hospital where he died, according to deputies.
Deputies identified the boy’s 16-year-old friend as a person of interest and detained him.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst said this situation is a nationwide problem.
“Unfortunately, they continue to happen. You have to hope that somewhere along the line somebody takes up the initiative to educate kids about this,” he said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly two out of every 10 firearm injuries are caused by unintentional shootings.
The data also revealed firearm injuries were the leading cause of death two years ago among children and teenagers from ages 1 to 19 years old.
According to CCSO, the investigation revealed that the 14-year-old and the 16-year-old were friends, and the victim was spending the night at his home.
Deputies said the gun did not belong to the adult residents of the home, and it is still unclear how the 16-year-old got it.
The 16-year-old was arrested and is now accused of manslaughter.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective R. Youngblood with the sheriff’s office at 904-264-6512 or via the Safer Watch App.