A tragic accident occurred in Davenport, Florida, where 4-year-old Chosen Morris lost his life after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a handgun he found in his parents’ car. Authorities confirmed that the incident took place on Friday evening while the Morris family was preparing to go out for pizza.
According to the Davenport Police Department, Chosen’s father, Robert Morris, was in the bathroom getting ready, while his mother, Quinta Morris, was using the computer in her bedroom. Quinta Morris reported that she heard a “pop” sound but assumed it was her children breaking something. When she went to check, she found only her 7-year-old and 11-year-old children in the living room.
Concerned about Chosen’s whereabouts, she began searching the house and soon noticed the garage door was open. Upon entering the garage, she found Chosen in the driver’s seat of the family car with a gunshot wound to his head. His parents rushed him to the hospital, but despite medical efforts, he passed away on Saturday afternoon.
Authorities believe Chosen, excited about the planned family outing, went to the car to wait and discovered the loaded handgun under the driver’s seat. The firearm, a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber handgun, was owned by Robert Morris.
Davenport Police Chief Steve Parker described the incident as a heartbreaking accident and expressed condolences to the Morris family. He emphasized the importance of firearm safety, urging gun owners to ensure their weapons are always secured when not in use. Parker advised that firearms should be stored with a trigger lock or placed in a locked cabinet or box to prevent such tragedies.
Unintentional shootings by children remain a serious issue in the U.S. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, at least 411 accidental shootings by children occurred in 2023, the highest number recorded since tracking began in 2015. These incidents resulted in 136 fatalities. In 2024, there have already been at least 21 unintentional shootings involving children, leading to 11 deaths.
Authorities continue to remind gun owners of the critical importance of responsible firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
