Community Chat

[gertrudecloset]

We have to do something besides run our mouths and offer prayers

Police in Pennsylvania say a 4-year-old girl is dead after her younger brother apparently shot her by accident inside a car parked at at a gas station. Chester Police said a 2-year-old boy was "handling a gun inside of a vehicle" when it discharged.

CBS Philadelphia reports the shooting happened outside of the Eagle Save Mart in Chester on Tuesday. The family lives in the area and frequents the mini mart.

People nearby heard a single gunshot from inside the vehicle, which was parked at a gas pump. The 4-year-old girl was rushed to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Police did not identify the girl or boy but NBC News the Philadelphia Inquirer reported the children were siblings.

Loved ones gathered outside of the hospital Tuesday afternoon waiting on an update on the girl's condition and became emotional after officials confirmed her death, the station reported.

Witnesses say the children's father was outside of the car when, according to officials, a 2-year-old boy was handling a gun inside of the car and it discharged. The bullet struck the 4-year-old girl who was also sitting inside.

People on the scene immediately rushed her to the hospital, which is just over a half-mile away from the scene.

Witnesses struck by the tragedy say the children were always with their dad.

"It was a morning ritual, I'd see them every morning," Theodore Thaddeus Crump said. "He was a good dude. He went to work every day. He kept his kids right there beside him. It's the number one thing that he did, OK. Their dad was a very beautiful man."

The investigation is ongoing.

According to data analyzed by advocacy group  Everytown for Gun Safety, so far this year there have been at least 51 unintentional shootings by children in the U.S., resulting in 17 deaths and 38 injuries.

Last year, there were at least 379 unintentional shootings by children nationwide, resulting in 154 deaths and 244 injuries, the group said.

[Kachina624]

Parents need to be held seriously accountable for carelessly leaving firearms where children have access to them.  They usually just get a slap on the hand.  How many cases do we have every year where a kid gets a parent's gun, takes it to school and shoots someone?  These parents are guilty of murder and should be so punished.

We had a case in my town where the two year old son of a police officer got his hands on a revolver and shot and killed himself.  To make matters worse the police and local judiciary have tried to cover it up.  State attorney general is investigating.

[kitcat51]

and do what? The father made a horrible mistake & 2 children have paid the price...he'll live with the guilt & whatever punishment the law provides. I have guns, they're secured in my home, I know my responsibility when they're in my possession & I don't take that responsibility lightly...unfortunately others do.

[Desertdi]

@gertrudecloset     It's bad all over.   I am in PHX, and every time one of our sports teams SCORE, my neighbors are outside firing their weapons "in celebration".    (I don't sit near any windows").    Thanks for your forum post.   Di

[gertrudecloset]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

Parents need to be held seriously accountable for carelessly leaving firearms where children have access to them.  They usually just get a slap on the hand.  How many cases do we have every year where a kid gets a parent's gun, takes it to school and shoots someone?  These parents are guilty of murder and should be so punished.

We had a case in my town where the two year old son of a police officer got his hands on a revolver and shot and killed himself.  To make matters worse the police and local judiciary have tried to cover it up.  State attorney general is investigating.

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Exactly @Kachina624 

[Mom2Dogs]

Parents are at fault, plain and simple.

[Jk9]

A firearm should never be out of a secured (enclosed) area in a vehicle.  It's the parents' responsibility to secure that gun - period.  Once again a human action results in the loss of life.   

[skatting44]

Yes, horrific accident , but all the oness   is on the Gun Owner.

First of all  why did he have an unsecured gun in his glove box- was he  worried abt car jackings in his area  ?   Wonder if it is a legally registered gun . As a gun owner he has the responsibllity to have the gun secured in a locked box . Many states have specific rules abt  transporting fire arms. There are consequences to not following  existing state and Federal laws.

[hckynutjohn]

Responsible gun owners do not leave a firearm anywhere where a child can access it. Only an idiot leaves one unattended that is loaded and c***ed, ready to fire.

With a handgun with say, a 5lb trigger pull, I think it would be very hard for a child that young to be strong enough to pull it.

It's a shame that these types of gun owners make the gun look like the problem instead of the moronic person that would do something so stupid.

Condolences to the other members of that child's family. 🙏

hckynut  🇺🇸

[on the bay]

There are many groups across the country that are teaching, giving talks on gun safety for owners-how and where to lock your guns and ammo-speaking at schools, civil and government groups,police, posting nationwide talks and messages on this.

My daughter is actively involved with all of these on a local and nationwide level with many other parents especially.

Also speaking to our own family members repeatedly who own guns.

Always asking if your child stays over someone else's house- do they own guns? Where are they? We did this back when my children were growing up. It is not just alcohol or drugs you need to ask about.-

Groups to get involved in-

Mom's Demand Action, Be Smart, MOA,(message of action to doctors to share the Be Smart message to parents.