By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A family vacation turned into tragedy when a 4-year-old boy allegedly found an unsecured handgun inside a vehicle and accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old cousin, authorities said.
The shooting occurred Sunday afternoon shortly after the family arrived at an Airbnb rental in Kissimmee, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Chris Blackmon said the 4-year-old entered the family vehicle, discovered a handgun that had not been securely stored, and fired the weapon. The bullet struck the toddler, who was rushed to a nearby hospital but later died from the injuries.
Investigators said the firearm belonged to the mother of the 2-year-old child who was killed. Authorities have not announced whether charges will be filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Following the tragedy, Sheriff Blackmon urged gun owners to store firearms unloaded, locked, and out of the reach of children.
“It’s not a video game. You can’t hit reset and start over,” Blackmon said. “Once you pull that trigger, that projectile is going somewhere.”
The heartbreaking incident has renewed calls from law enforcement and child safety advocates for responsible firearm storage. Experts recommend using gun safes, trigger locks, or lockboxes and storing ammunition separately to prevent children from gaining access to firearms.
According to national child safety organizations, unsecured firearms remain a leading factor in accidental shootings involving children, underscoring the importance of secure storage in every home and vehicle.