JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A neighbor urged greater vigilance in teaching gun safety around children after a 2-year-old boy died in what the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said was an accidental shooting inside a Northside home.
The child was found Monday night on Bacall Road and rushed to a hospital, where he died, JSO said. Detectives said the wound appeared to be self-inflicted after the child gained access to a firearm inside the home. Investigators are continuing to probe the case and said it was unclear whether charges would be filed.
“It’s kind of shocking with it being real close and it being a neighbor and then it being a kid. You know, that’s also very shocking and unfortunate,” Gary Mays, a neighbor, said. He added, “We have to be more vigilant when we’re teaching gun safety, especially when it comes to having firearms within a vicinity of kids.”
Another neighbor said she heard a loud pop about 10:30 to 11 p.m. and initially thought it was fireworks. She said she noticed a police presence about 15 minutes later.
The sheriff’s office noted this is at least the fourth shooting involving a child in the past two months that investigators say appears accidental.
Investigators are also trying to obtain any nearby video surveillance and are asking anyone who may have witnessed what happened — or who has relevant video — to contact JSO at 904-630-0500, email jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org, or call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
Florida law
Under Florida law, it is illegal to knowingly leave a loaded firearm accessible to a child under 16 when the child could gain access without permission.
If a child accesses an unsecured firearm and causes injury or death, the gun owner may face criminal charges — in addition to what the sheriff’s office described as “devastating consequences for the child, family, and community.”
Safe storage
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is urging gun owners to take immediate steps to secure their firearms. Officials say responsible gun ownership starts with safe storage:
- If a firearm isn’t on you, it should be secured.
- Keep firearms locked and out of reach of children.
- Use a gun safe, lockbox or trigger lock to prevent unauthorized access.
- Never leave a firearm unsecured in your home or vehicle.
Talking to your kids
JSO is also encouraging parents and guardians to have direct conversations with their children about firearm safety:
- Teach children that real guns are not toys and can seriously hurt or kill someone.
- If a child ever finds a gun, they should Stop. Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.
- Ask family members, babysitters and the parents of your children’s friends how firearms are stored in their homes.
Free gun locks available
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has free gun locks available at its District 1 substation, located at 5258 Norwood Ave., and its District 2 substation, located at 9119 Merrill Road. The agency says it is actively working to restock locks at its other four substations.