A community in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is grieving after a tragic accident where a 2-year-old boy fatally shot himself inside his home. The incident happened on Tuesday night when the child found a gun in his mother’s bedroom and accidentally pulled the trigger.
According to the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD), officers responded to a 911 call around 7 p.m. from a home on NW Zenith Drive in the Torrino neighborhood. When they arrived, they discovered that the toddler had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Authorities say the gun belonged to the mother’s fiancé and was not properly secured, making it easy for the child to access.
There was also an infant in the home at the time of the shooting, police confirmed. Several adults were present as well and are currently being interviewed as part of the investigation. Officers are still working to obtain a search warrant for further examination of the home.
Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk stressed the importance of gun safety, especially in homes with young children.
“It’s a heartbreaking way to learn this lesson. Gun safety is critical,” Niemczyk said. “If you have kids in the house, firearms must be properly secured. Never assume a child is too young to pick up a gun and pull the trigger.”
At this time, police have not said whether the mother or her fiancé will face any charges, as the investigation is still ongoing. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday afternoon.
Jennifer Massey, a local advocate for Moms Demand Action, a group focused on gun safety, expressed shock and sorrow over the incident.
“It’s devastating that a 2-year-old was able to pull the trigger,” Massey said. “Many people believe toddlers are not strong enough to fire a gun, but sadly, it happens more often than we realize.”
The neighborhood remains in shock as investigators continue their work. Authorities are reminding gun owners to store firearms safely and use gun locks or safes to prevent tragedies like this from happening.
This incident is a painful reminder of the dangers of leaving firearms unsecured, especially in homes with children. Families are urged to take extra precautions to prevent similar accidents in the future.
