Theodore Stewart, 42, and Danielle Stewart, 39, parents of an 8-year-old boy from Minnesota who was tragically killed by an unsecured firearm in their home, have been charged with a gross misdemeanor. The couple is facing charges of negligent storage of firearms following the fatal shooting of their youngest child, McGregor Stewart.
The incident occurred on September 4, when one of McGregor’s older brothers inadvertently fired a loaded .22 rifle, striking McGregor in the neck. The older sibling informed the police that he had not loaded the rifle himself and had failed to check if it was already loaded. The rifle was one of 34 firearms discovered in the Stewart residence, with only one being securely stored.
The Wadena Pioneer Journal obtained a probable cause statement that detailed the tragic event. The Minnesota Star Tribune’s examination of court documents revealed that 14 of the firearms were found in the Stewarts’ bedroom, many of which were loaded. An additional 13 firearms were discovered in a closet near the bedroom, and seven more were located in a closet by the front door. The police noted that all but one of the firearms were unsecured and easily accessible to the children in the home.
At the time of the shooting, Theodore Stewart was not present, having left for work. Danielle Stewart was reportedly outside the house. After McGregor was shot, she accompanied him to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Stewarts have four other children, ranging in age from 10 to 14 years old. Following the shooting, the children were placed in protective custody, a decision that was reversed a.
The charges against Theodore and Danielle Stewart were filed on September 30 via summons, and they were not arrested. Both are expected to appear in court on November 3.