Boy, 7, Fatally Shoots Himself With Unsecured Gun in Columbus

Tragedy struck in Columbus, Ohio, after a 7-year-old boy accidentally shot himself with an unsecured firearm at a home on the city’s Northeast Side.

According to the Columbus Division of Police, officers responded to a call just after 9 p.m. on October 26 in the 1500 block of Grandview Avenue. Upon arrival, they learned that the child had gained access to an unsecured gun, which discharged and fatally injured him.

Medics pronounced the boy dead at 9:18 p.m., police spokesperson Sgt. Joe Albert confirmed. The identity of the child has not been released, and investigations are ongoing. The prosecutor’s office will review the case to determine whether charges will be filed.

This heartbreaking incident underscores the critical importance of firearm safety and secure storage, especially in homes with children.

Every child has the right to life, safety, and protection from physical harm, and ensuring that firearms are safely stored is essential to upholding that right.