A six-year-old boy, Major Smith, tragically died from an accidental gunshot wound on Tuesday. The incident happened in Lakeland, Florida, when Major found a firearm in his older brother’s rental car. According to Lakeland Police, Major was with his father, Myron Smith Sr., and his older brother, Myron Smith Jr., on Sunday afternoon. The family had just returned from a store.
After the trip, Myron Jr. briefly went to his car, a gray Nissan Altima, and then went inside the house. While Myron Sr. was on the phone outside, Major found the gun, a Glock 19X, which had been left between the driver’s seat and the center console. When Myron Sr. heard a gunshot, he rushed to the car and found Major bleeding from his head with the gun on the driver’s seat. Myron Jr. quickly took Major to the emergency room at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.
Despite their efforts, Major’s injuries were severe, and he passed away. The family has started a fundraising campaign to cover funeral expenses, raising $5,000 so far. Major’s grandmother, Cynthia Rodriguez, described him as a loving child who was a big brother to his twin sisters. She also mentioned that Major had special needs and was on the autism spectrum.
This sad incident is not the first of its kind in Polk County. Since 2015, at least nine children have accidentally shot themselves with unsecured firearms, and three of those cases were fatal. The police are still investigating the case, and no charges have been filed yet. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Neal Robertson.
This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of leaving firearms unsecured. The family is left heartbroken, and the community is mourning the loss of a young life full of potential.
