A Florida boy is dead after an accidental shooting at his family’s apartment, authorities in St. Petersburg said.
Jeremiah Nelson, 12, succumbed to his injuries shortly after he was shot while handling a handgun at around 6:30 p.m. Monday.
“The child was at home with some other children. He had obtained a firearm. We’re not sure exactly where,” said St. Pete Police Asst. Chief Michael Kovacsev.
“He had dropped the magazine out of the weapon, thinking it was unloaded, and was unaware that it was still loaded.”
Kovacsev said the boy’s mother had just stepped out for a few minutes when the tragedy struck.
“It just is indicative of some the issues we have in our society, that we have firearms that are so available and the fact that a 12-year-old can come across it.”
Police are trying to determine where the gun came from. They believed the weapon did not belong to family members.
“Ultimately, during the holidays, terrible situation. Terrible for anyone,” Kovacsev added.
