PORT ORANGE, Fla. — An 8-year-old boy who was shot in the chest in Port Orange Friday has died, according to Port Orange police.
The shooting happened at a home in the 800 block of Hudson Lane.
The boy was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Police said the child's 12-year-old brother gave the 8-year-old CPR before running across the street to alert a neighbor, who called for help.
Brother: “Come on breathe brother, breathe.”
The neighbor and brother worked together, giving chest compressions and CPR, but throughout the call, the boy did not seem to improve.
Operator: “Is he breathing?”
Neighbor: “No. I don't see him breathing, no.”
Police said the child’s great-grandfather was in the house when the 8-year-old managed to get his hands on a 9 mm gun and fire a round into his chest.
Family said the child's great-grandfather is in his 80s and bedridden.
Police said the incident appears to be accidental.
“We're trying to investigate to find out exactly how it happened and what exactly happened,” Port Orange police Chief Thomas Grimaldi said.
Authorities said they are investigating whether the gun was locked up and how the 8-year-old got hold of it.
“Really any time, if you have a gun in your home, it's our responsibility as gun owners to make sure they're secured,” said Grimaldi.
The boy’s family said the mother is a retired firefighter who was out of town when the shooting happened.
“Those are my little cousins. We just came back from a camping trip yesterday,” said family member Satina Herman.
Police said the 12-year-old is in shock and having a hard time talking.
“I just heard he's out of it. I don't know. I haven't seen him,” said Herman.
Neighbor Linnea Heddle said her 15-year-old grandson used to play at the neighbor’s home often.
“It's a shame. It really is. They're a really good family,” said Heddle. “They're good kids, and there's always an adult in the house. That house is never empty of an adult. There's always somebody supervising everybody there.”
Police said the mother is cooperating with investigators to determine where the gun came from.
Cox Media Group
