Authorities in Florida said an 8-year-old boy fatally shot a 1-year-old girl and injured another minor while he was playing with his father’s gun. According to PEOPLE, authorities said the boy’s father had left the gun unsecured when the boy found it.
The boy’s father, identified as Roderick Dwayne Randall, has been charged in connection with the incident. His charges include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of culpable negligence, tampering with evidence, and failure to store a firearm in a required manner.
The shooting happened inside a hotel room in Pensacola. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Randall had placed the unholstered gun in the room’s closet, and the boy ultimately found the weapon after his father exited the room.
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Simmons added that the boy started playing with the gun before a shot was discharged. The bullet fatally struck a 1-year-old girl before also hitting and injuring her 2-year-old sister. Authorities said the injured minor should make a full recovery.
Simmons also said that the mother of the children the boy shot is Randall’s girlfriend. The suspect, who has since been released after posting bail, hasn’t yet entered any pleas to the charges brought against him.
