A tragic incident unfolded in West Palm Beach, Florida, when a 10-year-old boy inadvertently shot his 8-year-old sister in the face with a handgun he discovered in their mother’s vehicle. The mother had left her four children, aged between 1 and 10, unattended in the car while she went into a RaceTrac gas station.
The eldest child, upon his mother’s departure, began rummaging through the glove compartment where he found a semiautomatic Glock, according to police spokesperson Mike Jachles. The firearm discharged, striking his sister in the cheek. Despite the severity of the incident, the girl remained conscious and alert, and is anticipated to fully recover following surgery at a local hospital.
The incident is currently under investigation by the police and the Florida Department of Children and Families. The mother could potentially face charges as a result of the shooting. The two other children in the car, a 1-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, were unharmed.
Jachles emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the outcome could have been significantly worse. He stressed the importance of responsible gun ownership, cautioning that every firearm should be treated as if it’s loaded and should never be within reach of children.
Kathy Wall, director of Safe Kids Palm Beach County, echoed Jachles’ sentiments, labeling the incident a “wake-up call” for parents. She urged parents to never leave a loaded or unloaded firearm where children can access it, and to store ammunition separately from weapons.
Wall also highlighted the potential influence of media on children’s perception of firearms. She noted that with the prevalence of TV shows and video games featuring guns, children may not fully comprehend the real-life consequences of handling a firearm.