5-Year-Old Child in Arizona Killed His Mother After Accidentally Shooting Her in the Chest

[left-of-center2012]

A mother in Arizona died on Friday after her 5-year-old son accidentally got hold of a firearm and fatally shot her in the chest, local law enforcement authorities said.

According to a press release from the Casa Grande Police Department, officers were dispatched to a residence at The Colony Apartments, located at 351 North Peart Road in Casa Grande after receiving a 911 call about a shooting on the morning of Sept. 3 at approximately 6:20 a.m.

The department said that officers arrived on the scene a short while later and discovered that 38-year-old Casa Grande resident Michele Cox was severely injured after suffering what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the chest. First responders began performing emergency life-saving procedures and Cox was air-lifted via helicopter to a local hospital in the Chandler area “with life-threatening injuries.” Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save Cox’s life and she was pronounced dead at the hospital the same day she arrived.

Detectives said they had determined that it was Cox’s five-year-old son who fired the bullet that ultimately ended her life. Police said that they “believe this was an accidental shooting” and noted that they recovered a handgun from the scene.

The department said that its investigators are “working closely” with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office to determine what, if any, crime may have occurred that contributed to Cox’s death. It added that the tragic incident should remind people about the dangers and responsibilities that come with gun ownership. “This is a stark reminder that owning and safeguarding a firearm is a serious responsibility and should be a priority in anyone’s home or business, especially if children are present,” the Police Department said in a statement.

https://lawandcrime.com/crazy/5-year-old-child-in-arizona-killed-his-mother-after-accidentally-shooting-her-in-the-chest-with-handgun-police/

[underpants]

1. Oh god

[central scrutinizer]

2. Meanwhile in Texas

Any moron can buy a gun, no questions asked, no training required.

[intheflow]

3. Very tragic indeed.

And this part gets me: "...to determine what, if any, crime may have occurred that contributed to Cox’s death." The crime was an adult left a loaded gun lying around where a child could get their hands on it. It's called reckless endangerment. Unfortunately, the perpetrator was also the victim.