Fathers Arrested in Toddler Shooting Deaths in Jacksonville, Chesterfield

In Jacksonville, Florida, a father was arrested and charged with child neglect and culpable negligence after his 2-year-old son fatally shot himself with an improperly stored firearm. Police determined the boy accessed the unsecured gun while his mother was asleep, highlighting the ongoing danger of children gaining access to firearms in the home. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office emphasized that safe storage of firearms around minors is not only common sense but also mandated by law, urging all gun owners to take precautions to protect children. The incident underscores national concerns, as firearms are now the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens, with many incidents occurring at home when kids find unsecured guns. Authorities advised gun owners to use safes or lockboxes and to educate children to avoid and report found firearms. The case serves as a somber reminder of the legal and moral responsibilities associated with gun ownership.