Gun accident kills 12-year-old boy

A 12-year-old Gardena boy is killed in an apparent accident with a gun. Police say Christopher Kinney was alone in his room when the gun went off, striking him in the head Wednesday evening.

A 14-year-old cousin, who was babysitting the victim and two younger children, heard the gunshot and found the boy. Kinney died at the hospital.

Police say the shooting is considered an accident.

"From the additional investigation, it appears that there was no criminal negligence," said Lt. Steven Prendergast of Gardena Police Department. "The case is still in investigation. As in any death of a child, we complete a full and thorough investigation, so it is still ongoing."

Police say it appears the gun was properly secured in the home, but that the boy somehow got his hands on it.

More: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7067104

hands on it."


That's the main reason why we don't have guns. Two curious, bright, impulsive boys.

But I never wanted one in the house while the kids were growing up.

Very sad.

because it should have been secured against this type of tragedy

It was typically kept loaded, no lock, on the top shelf of the bedroom closet. I was never in danger from it; my parents simply made it clear that it wasn't a toy.

decide on which kind they have, I guess.

tragedy all around.

Check the boy's school records for trouble.

It was probably a suicide.

There is absolutely nothing in the article to hint at suicide. Ignorant, untrained kids play with guns when they find them. It happens.

The only thing we can say for certain is that obviously the firearms were NOT properly secured, as a child was able to get access to them.

:shrug:

There's only so much diligence one can reasonable expect gun owners to do- at least in terms of criminal culpability.