This is tragic but it smells funny too.

12/18/05 TAMPA - A 4-year-old boy died Sunday from a gunshot wound to the head, Hillsborough County deputies say. Jovan Mitchell, 4, was shot by a 9mm semiautomatic handgun in his bedroom at Hunter's Pointe Apartments, 5030 E. Sligh Ave. Apt. B., at about 11:35 a.m., spokesman J.D. Callaway said. His cousin, Lyndon Jenkins Jr., 5, was also in the room at the time. Jenkins saw Mitchell on the floor and told his mom, Charvanette Mitchell, 18. Mitchell called 911. When deputies arrived, Jovan was dead, Callaway said. "I can't imagine anything being more horrific than that," Callaway said. "Unfortunately, these incidents happen and the lessons are very hard." He said Charvanette Mitchell was "devastated" by the loss. She sat outside a downstairs apartment in a blue Armwood High School sweatshirt with a sheet wrapped around her legs. She was comforted by her parents and family members. When paramedics carried Jovan's body down in a white bag, she jumped up from her seat, wailing uncontrollably. She could only muster the word, "Why?" between sobs. Her father, Arviel Jenkins, walked her to a car and took her away. His brother, Lyndon Jenkins, said his son, Lyndon Jenkins Jr. told him that he saw Jovan dead on the floor. It is not known who owns the gun and no charges have been filed, Callaway said. -- Michael H. Samuels , Tampa Tribune

No matter what, a 4-year old boy with a 18-year old mother will nearly always have a tragic life.

Quoted: No matter what, a 4-year old boy with a 18-year old mother will nearly always have a tragic life.

True that.

At least the guy they quoted on TV, a friend or relative, I'm not sure, blamed it on the parent.

The gun shot him?

Quoted: This is tragic but it smells funny too. 12/18/05 She was comforted by her parents and family members. When paramedics carried Jovan's body down in a white bag, she jumped up from her seat, wailing uncontrollably. She could only muster the word, "Why?" between sobs.

Because you left a loaded gun in a house where a 4 year old could find it an shoot himself....

Damnit...

I hate it when kids pay for the stupidity of adults.

It'll come back stolen probably. 14 years old when she had the kid. I guarantee she NEVER was a fit parent. Where was momma that she did not come running when she heard the shot?

Hunter's Pointe Apartments, 5030 E. Sligh Ave. Apt. B

Lovely neighborhood.

Hopefully there will be charges in this case.  Like others have pointed out, 18 year old mommy who is still a kid herself, in a crappy area of town.  While possesion of the gun is not illeagal, where did she get it?  Obvioulsy she was irresponsible with it.  But then that seems to be par for a person who would be having kids at 14.  I'd also like to know where she was when it went off, if the 5 year old is the one who found his cousin and told her about him being on the floor.  Gunshots aren't quiet inside an apartment.  Who wants to bet that it's her boyfriends, and I would go along with it being stolen.  Tragic story, too bad the tyke had to pay the price for someone else's stupidity.  Eventually this will become fodder for the anti's and the gun itself will be blamed, along with the manufacturer, and "easy access" because of the lax laws.

Sounds like the police will have to file the case with the State Attorney's Office...

784.05  Culpable negligence.--

(3)  Whoever violates subsection (1) by storing or leaving a loaded firearm within the reach or easy access of a minor commits, if the minor obtains the firearm and uses it to inflict injury or death upon himself or herself or any other person, a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. However, this subsection does not apply:

(a)  If the firearm was stored or left in a securely locked box or container or in a location which a reasonable person would have believed to be secure, or was securely locked with a trigger lock;

(b)  If the minor obtains the firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person;

(c)  To injuries resulting from target or sport shooting accidents or hunting accidents; or

(d)  To members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, or State Militia, or to police or other law enforcement officers, with respect to firearm possession by a minor which occurs during or incidental to the performance of their official duties.

When any minor child is accidentally shot by another family member, no arrest shall be made pursuant to this subsection prior to 7 days after the date of the shooting. With respect to any parent or guardian of any deceased minor, the investigating officers shall file all findings and evidence with the state attorney's office with respect to violations of this subsection. The state attorney shall evaluate such evidence and shall take such action as he or she deems appropriate under the circumstances and may file an information against the appropriate parties.