A teenager has been shot and killed by his father at a gun range in the U.S.
Stephen Brumby, 14, was shot in front of two of his siblings at High Noon Guns in Sarasota, Florida.
Police say that Stephen’s father, William, 54, was shooting his handgun when a used shell casing deflected off the back wall and fell down his shirt.
When he went to remove the casing, he pointed the gun and inadvertently pulled the trigger at Stephen, who was standing directly behind him.
Stephen was rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries.
Speaking to CNN, William accepted that he was responsible for his son’s death and hoped the incident would serve as a potent reminder to parents to remain vigilant when doing anything with their children.
He said:
We wanted our kids to be aware of guns. I wanted them to be comfortable around them and understand them. The gun didn’t kill my boy. I did. Every round in the gun is your responsibility. When it fires you need to stand to account for it it. That’s what I’ve spent the last two days doing, accounting for my operating error.
William added that it was a ‘very freak accident’ and the incident has not changed his views on guns and the right to own one.
Police are now investigating the incident. However, no charges have yet to be filed against Brumby, the sheriff’s office said.
Our thoughts are with Stephen’s family during this time.
