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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.
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