A tragic accident has claimed the life of 4-year-old Chosen Morris in Davenport, Florida. The young boy fatally shot himself in the head with a family handgun he found in the family vehicle on Friday evening. As Chosen's family prepared for a night out, which included plans for pizza and board games, they were unaware of the impending tragedy.
The incident unfolded when Chosen entered the family car to wait for his parents and stumbled upon a Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber handgun underneath the driver's seat. At the time, Chosen's mother was in the master bedroom, distracted by her computer, while his father was in the bathroom preparing for the family outing. The couple's two other children, aged 7 and 11, were engrossed in video games with headphones on in the living room.
While the mother was occupied, she heard a "pop" sound, which led to the horrifying discovery of Chosen in the driver's seat with a gunshot wound to his head. The parents immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital, just two miles away. Sadly, Chosen succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead almost 24 hours later on Saturday.
The police investigation revealed that Chosen had inadvertently caused his own death. A Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber handgun was recovered from the vehicle where the boy found it. Despite the tragic circumstances, no criminal charges have been filed against Chosen's parents.
"This is a tragic accident. As a father and grandfather, I can't imagine what [they] are going through right now. Our prayers are certainly with the… family as they endure this heartbreaking tragedy," said Davenport Chief of Police Steve Parker.
The incident highlights a broader issue concerning unintentional gun-related deaths among children in the United States. Between 2003 and 2021, at least 1,262 children died from unintentional gun injuries in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. A staggering 85% of these deaths occurred inside a house or apartment, with approximately 38% being self-inflicted.
Authorities are handling the case delicately, acknowledging both the family's loss and their responsibility to uphold safety protocols.
"As part of our protocol, we will consult with the State Attorney’s Office, but my office has no intentions of filing charges based on the information we have," added Chief Parker.
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