Man Shot, Killed After 9-year-old Gets Access To Parents’ Gun
Free child safety gun locks available from In-Gauge of Polk County. Simply send an email request to: in-gauge@ingaugeofpolkcounty.com
Davenport man fatally shoots stepson after 9-year-old pulls gun from drawer.
Davenport man fatally shoots adult stepson after 9-year-old pulls gun from drawer.
DAVENPORT, Fla. (WFLA) – May 21, 2025 — A stepfather was accused of killing his adult stepson in Davenport on Wednesday.
A 9-year-old boy became upset after being disciplined over playing a video game and grabbed a handgun from a nightstand drawer of his parents’ bedroom.
Feb. 24, 2025 – A 4-year-old Davenport boy has died of a self-inflicted gunshot after finding a firearm in his family’s car Friday night. Law enforcement is calling for tighter gun safety, as it’s the second such death in Polk County this year.
Police Chief Steven Parker said Chosen’s death should serve as a “stark reminder” of best practices and gun safety for firearm owners.
The firearm in the Morris family’s vehicle was legally owned by Robert Morris, who Parker said told police he owned it for personal safety on his travel to and from work.
Robert Morris told detectives he usually takes the firearm out of the car on Thursday nights when he arrives home from work, and securely stores it in his bedroom.
“He forgot. He simply forgot,” the chief said. “He forgot Thursday, this happens Friday.”
Parker said gun owners need to know exactly where their firearms are at all times, and make sure they are secure when not in their immediate possession.
This is the second child, self-inflicted, accidental gunshot death in Polk County, Florida in as many months.
6-year-old Major Smith died of an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound January 9, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida, by a gun he found in his parent’s car.
Major Smith died Tuesday at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, two days after he found a gun in a car outside his residence on West Crawford Street and accidentally shot himself, Lakeland police said.
In-Gauge of Polk County, a private, non-profit organization, Winter Haven, Florida, has FREE child safety gun locks to Polk County residents, available for the asking. Polk County residents need only send an email request to receive a free gun lock.
To receive a free gun lock by mail, simply send an email request to: in-gauge@ingaugeofpolkcounty.com
