4-Year-Old Boy Dies in Florida After Accidentally Shooting Himself with Handgun Found in Parents’ Car

Davenport, Florida — A 4-year-old boy, identified as Chosen Morris, has tragically died after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a handgun he found in his parents’ car, according to the Davenport Police Department.

The incident unfolded Friday evening while the Morris family was preparing for a night out. Authorities say Chosen’s father, Robert Morris, was in the bathroom getting ready, and his mother, Quinta Morris, was in her bedroom on the computer. It was at this time that Chosen, seemingly excited for the family outing, entered the car and found a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber handgun hidden under the driver’s seat.

Quinta Morris later told police that she heard a “pop” and initially thought her children had broken something. Upon investigating, she found her two older children, aged 7 and 11, in the living room but could not locate Chosen. Concerned, she began searching the house and noticed the door to the garage was open. It was in the garage, in the driver’s seat of the car, where she found her son, critically injured by a gunshot wound to the head.

The family rushed Chosen to the hospital, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday afternoon.

Davenport Police Chief Steve Parker described the incident as a “tragic accident” and expressed deep sympathy for the Morris family. “As a father and grandfather, I can’t imagine what Mr. and Mrs. Morris are going through right now. Our prayers are certainly with the Morris family as they endure this heartbreaking tragedy,” Parker said in a statement.

Authorities have emphasized the importance of gun safety, particularly in households with young children. Chief Parker urged gun owners to always secure their firearms, either with a trigger lock or by storing them in a locked cabinet or box when not in use. “It is crucial that gun owners know where their firearms are at all times,” Parker told ABC News.

This incident is another in a disturbing trend of unintentional shootings involving children in the U.S. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, there were at least 411 unintentional shootings by children in 2023, marking the worst year on record since the organization began tracking such incidents in 2015. This year alone, at least 21 children have unintentionally discharged firearms, leading to 11 fatalities.

The Morris family’s devastating loss has renewed calls for greater vigilance in gun safety, especially regarding how firearms are stored in homes with young children.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather details surrounding the incident.