12-year-old boy dies after accidental shooting, St. Pete police say

12-year-old dies in accidental shooting

FOX 13's Kylie Jones reports on a 12-year-old boy who died hours after an accidental shooting in St. Petersburg, according to police.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A 12-year-old boy died hours after an accidental shooting in St. Petersburg, according to police.

SPPD said officers responded to the James Park Apartments off 3rd Ave. North around 6:30 p.m. Monday.

A 12-year-old boy died hours after an accidental shooting in St. Petersburg, according to police.

"Just a horrible event that occurred over the holidays," Asst. Chief Michael Kovacsev said. "It’s got to be heart-wrenching for the family."

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Paramedics rushed Jeremiah Nelson to the hospital, but he did not survive.

St. Pete police don’t believe the boy’s family knew anything about the gun.

"There’s nothing to show that the mother had any idea about this," Kovacsev said.

Police say the boy’s mother had just stepped out a few minutes before the incident happened.

"The child was at home with some other children. He had obtained a firearm," Kovacsev said. "We’re not sure exactly where. He had dropped the magazine out of the weapon, thinking it was unloaded, and was unaware that it was still loaded."

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Police say the boy was in 7th grade at Tyrone Middle School.

"It just is indicative of some of 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," Kovacsev said.

Police are still investigating to figure out where the gun came from. They say the gun hasn’t been reported stolen.

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"Safe gun ownership, responsible gun ownership, people being able to secure those weapons, making sure it’s not in the hands of a child," Kovacsev said. "There’s nothing to show that the mother had any idea about this, but it’s also something you want to be able to speak to your children about."

"Ultimately, during the holidays, terrible situation," Kovacsev said. "Terrible for anyone."

Police are working to figure out how the boy got access to the gun.

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