4-Year-Old Black Boy Dies, Accidentally Shoots Himself With His Dad’s Gun

Nationwide — Chosen Morris, a 4-year-old African American boy from Davenport, Florida, died after accidentally shooting himself while playing with a handgun he found in his parents’ car. The gun, a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson, belonged to his father and was left under the driver’s seat.

According to the New York Post, the incident happened as the family was preparing to go out for pizza. Chosen’s mother, Quinta, heard a loud noise and thought one of her older children had broken something. When she checked on them, they denied making the noise, and she began searching for Chosen.

Quinta found Chosen in the front seat of the car in the garage, with a gunshot wound. A nursing student, she immediately tried to help her son before rushing him to the hospital with the family. Sadly, Chosen was pronounced dead the next day.

Police Chief Steve Parker expressed how heartbreaking the situation was, saying, “I can’t stress to you enough how tragic this is. I met with the family earlier today, they are devastated, they are devastated at what happened.”

Authorities confirmed the gun had been left in the car by Chosen’s father, Robert, who uses it for personal protection while commuting to work. He had forgotten about the firearm the day before the tragic accident.

Police Chief Steve Parker stated that no criminal charges have been filed against the parents at this time, but the case will be reviewed with prosecutors.