More senseless tragedy
An 8-year-old boy has died after his 5-year-old brother shot him, in Jefferson County, Arkansas this week it's been reported.
The boys' mother was asleep at the time of the incident and it's believed that there were at least four other children in the house.
The local sheriff issued a media statement saying: "I can't emphasise strongly enough that guns need to be well secured and kept out of the hands and away from children at all times."
Police arrived at the scene after a 911 call and found the child unresponsive. It has not been confirmed who the owner of the gun is.
According to the
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, police found "several other weapons" at the scene.
The boys' mother has said that all weapons were stored securely in the home — police are now investigating whether this is true and charges may or may not be brought against her, depending on the outcome.
According to US gun safety advocacy organisation
Everytown, there has now been at least 126 incidents involving child shooters — leading to 55 deaths and 78 injuries — in the US in 2022 alone.
These figures don't take into account the children who lost their lives to adult shooters, of which there have been many more.
Make it make sense, America.
