A 4-year-old boy named Chosen Morris has passed away after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a handgun he discovered inside his parents’ vehicle, according to Florida authorities.
The devastating incident took place on Friday evening while the Morris family was preparing to go out for pizza, as reported by the Davenport Police Department.
At the time, Chosen’s father, Robert Morris, was in the bathroom getting ready, while his mother, Quinta Morris, was in her bedroom using the computer, police stated.
According to authorities, Quinta Morris heard a loud “pop” but initially assumed her children had broken something. She went to check on them in the living room, where only her 7-year-old and 11-year-old were present.
When she realized Chosen was missing, she began searching for him and noticed that the garage door was open. Upon entering the garage, she discovered Chosen sitting in the driver’s seat of the car with a gunshot wound to his head, police reported.
His parents immediately rushed him to the hospital, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday afternoon.
Investigators believe that Chosen, excited about the upcoming outing, had gone to the car to wait for his family. While inside, he came across the handgun, which had been placed beneath the driver’s seat. Police confirmed that the firearm, a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber pistol, was registered to Robert Morris.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” said Davenport Police Chief Steve Parker in a statement. “As both a father and a grandfather, I can’t fathom the pain Mr. and Mrs. Morris are experiencing. Our hearts go out to them as they navigate this devastating loss.”
Parker emphasized the importance of firearm safety, stating in an email to ABC News: “Gun owners must always be aware of their firearm’s location. When not in use, weapons should be securely stored using a trigger lock or placed in a locked container or cabinet.”
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, hundreds of children across the U.S. unintentionally discharge firearms each year, either injuring themselves or others.
In 2023, at least 411 accidental shootings involving children were recorded, making it the worst year since Everytown began tracking such incidents in 2015. The previous year saw at least 360 similar incidents, resulting in 136 deaths.
So far this year, at least 21 unintentional shootings by children have occurred, leading to 11 fatalities, according to Everytown’s data.