Lakeland boy who accidentally shot himself in the head dies two days later: Police

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Published  January 8, 2025 7:00pm EST
FOX 13 News
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The Brief

    • A 6-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself in the head over the weekend died two days later.
    • Lakeland police said the boy found the gun inside a rental car near the driver's seat.
    • He was originally taken to the hospital after the shooting happened on Sunday by his brother.

LAKELAND, Fla. - A 6-year-old Lakeland boy who accidentally shot himself in the head over the weekend died from his injuries Tuesday afternoon, according to police. 

The child was originally taken to Lakeland Regional Health by his brother, where officials said he was in critical condition for about two days. 

The Lakeland Police Department said they responded to the accidental shooting just before 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, after receiving a report that the 6-year-old was shot in the head. They said the incident happened in a vehicle parked at a home in the 200 block of West Crawford Street. 

RELATED: 6-year-old Lakeland boy accidentally shoots himself in head: LPD

So far, detectives said they have learned that the boy was with his father and adult brother before the shooting occurred. All three had just gotten back from the store, police said. 

The boy's brother stayed in the rental vehicle, which was a gray Nissan Altima, for a short time while the boy and his father got out and sat on the porch. A short time later, the brother got out of the vehicle, closed the door and went inside the home briefly, according to police.

The father was still outside making a phone call when the 6-year-old went into the vehicle and found the Glock 19X, which was left between the driver's seat and the center console, police said. 

That's when a gunshot rang out, and the father found his son with a gunshot wound and the gun in the driver's seat, according to Lakeland police. The adult brother quickly drove the 6-year-old to the hospital in the rental vehicle. 

No charges have been filed at this time, but investigators said the case is still open and active. Anyone with information about the accidental shooting is asked to contact Detective Neal Robertson by emailing neal.robertson@lakelandgov.net.

The Source: The information in this story was released by the Lakeland Police Department. 

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