A four-year-old Indiana boy died after finding his father’s unsecured handgun on a bedside table and mistaking it for a flashlight, according to court documents filed in LaPorte County.
The child’s final words — “Oh, a flashlight” — were heard by his mother moments before the weapon discharged on a January morning, killing him instantly. His father now faces felony charges for leaving the loaded firearm within reach of a young child in their home.
Police say the boy had climbed onto his parents’ bed and was examining items on the nightstand when he picked up the 9mm handgun. The weapon fired a single round that struck the child fatally. Emergency responders arrived within minutes but could not save him.
Investigators found the gun had been placed on the table the night before, loaded and without any safety mechanism engaged. The father told police he normally kept the weapon locked in a safe but had left it out after returning home late from work. He said he intended to secure it in the morning but fell asleep.
Prosecutors charged the father with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison. Indiana law requires gun owners to prevent access by children under 14, though enforcement varies widely across counties.
The tragedy adds to a growing tally of preventable firearm deaths among young children. Nationwide, an average of two children under age 12 die each week from accidental shootings, according to federal safety data. Most involve guns stored loaded in bedrooms or vehicles.
Gun rights advocates and safety organizations agree on one point: secure storage prevents these deaths. Gunlocks, safes, and trigger guards cost between $15 and $200 — far less than a funeral. Yet studies show fewer than half of American gun owners with children use any storage device.
The LaPorte County prosecutor called the case “entirely preventable” and said her office would pursue maximum penalties. Defense attorneys have not yet filed a response. The father remains free on bond pending trial, which is scheduled for September.
The child’s mother has not been charged. She was in another room when the shooting occurred and had assumed her husband had secured all firearms as he usually did, according to witness statements.
A preliminary hearing is set for later this month. The court will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial on the felony neglect charge.
Key Points
- Four-year-old died after finding father’s loaded handgun left unsecured on nightstand, mistaking it for flashlight
- Father charged with Level 1 felony neglect carrying up to 40 years; told police he meant to lock gun away but fell asleep
- Two children under 12 die weekly nationwide from accidental shootings, most involving loaded guns stored in bedrooms
