Toddler Accidentally Shoots Man Dead Inside His Home—Police
A Georgia man died inside his home earlier this month after being accidentally shot and killed by a child, police say.
According to a statement by Savannah Police, detectives reached the preliminary determination that the shooting of Dustin Walters, 25, was the result of an accidental shooting involving a handgun fired by a toddler.
Police say officers responded to reports of shooting at a property on the 100 block of East 64th Street around 5:30 p.m. on December 5.
There they discovered Walters with a gunshot wound. Though he was transported to Memorial Medical Center, he later died as a result of his injuries.
A preliminary investigation determined Walters was wounded when a toddler, who police say was just under 2 years of age, found and fired the handgun, striking Walters with what proved to be the fatal bullet.
"We grieve along with the Walters family," Chief Roy Minter said on Tuesday. "As a parent, I cannot imagine what this family is going through or will continue to go through in the coming years.
"What we want to make sure now is that parents are aware that although rare, these incidents can happen with tragic results," he added. "Please take this seriously and take the steps to ensure that you and your family members are safe."
No further information on the shooting is being provided at this point with the Savannah Police Department asking that the public give the Walters family privacy as they continue to mourn following this tragic loss.
The police department has also issued an appeal for the public to "take a moment" to think about whether firearms are present in their homes or any other homes their children may visit.
"Make sure those firearms are secured and not accessible by children," the Savannah Police Department said. "If your children frequent a home where there are firearms, have a conversation with those people to make sure that firearms are secured and not accessible."
"If your child is old enough, have a conversation about the dangers of firearms and advise the child to never touch a firearm," they added. "Also, tell the child to notify an adult they know if they find a gun."
In addition, the Savannah Police Department will be offering free gun locks to the public and can be picked up from their headquarters or any of their precinct locations.
Newsweek has contacted the Savannah Police Department for comment.
The accidental killing comes just a month after two children in Texas were taken to hospital after a 4-year-old boy accidentally shot himself and a toddler, aged 2.
Police in Atlanta, Georgia, meanwhile are investigating an incident where a one-year-old girl was accidentally shot by her brother on Friday. The young child remains in a critical condition.
