Nationwide — A 4-year-old boy from Kissimmee, Florida, fatally shot his 2-year-old cousin after finding an unsecured gun inside a family vehicle during a vacation. Authorities said the firearm belonged to the mother of the child who was killed.
The family had just arrived at their Airbnb in Kissimmee late Sunday afternoon when the shooting happened. Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon said the 4-year-old went inside the vehicle and found a handgun that had not been safely stored.
Investigators said the child picked up the firearm and fired it, striking his 2-year-old cousin, according to WESH. Deputies and emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly before 4 p.m. and provided medical care before taking the toddler to a hospital, where he later died.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office identified the gun owner as the mother of the child who was killed. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Sheriff Blackmon urged gun owners to keep firearms locked, secured, and out of children’s reach. He warned that a moment of carelessness can lead to permanent consequences.
“It’s literally laying out by itself, so it’s easy to grab,” Blackmon said. “You pull the trigger, and you can’t recall that. It’s not a video game. You can’t hit reset and start over. Once you pull that trigger, that projectile is going somewhere.”
The shooting has renewed calls for safe firearm storage, with officials reminding families to use gun locks and other safety measures to prevent children from accessing weapons.