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Police: 4-year-old who accidentally shot himself with family gun he found in car has died
Chosen Morris was declared dead around 3 p.m. on Saturday at Arnold Palmer Hospital, according to the Davenport Police Department.
www.firstcoastnews.com
Police: 4-year-old who accidentally shot himself with family gun he found in car has died
Chosen Morris was declared dead around 3 p.m. on Saturday at Arnold Palmer Hospital, according to the Davenport Police Department.
Author: Patrick Henkels
Published: 11:48 AM EST February 23, 2025
Updated: 1:16 PM EST February 23, 2025
DAVENPORT, Fla. — A four-year-old boy is dead after police said he accidentally shot himself with his family's gun Friday evening in Davenport.
The child, identified as Chosen Morris, was declared dead around 3 p.m. on Saturday at Arnold Palmer Hospital, the Davenport Police Department said in a news release.
The incident occurred when Morris was at home with his parents, Robert and Quinta, and siblings preparing for an evening outing. The four-year-old reportedly wandered into the garage by himself.
"While Robert Morris was in the restroom preparing for the outing, Quinta was on her computer in the master bedroom when she heard what she described as a 'pop,'" officers stated.
Police said Quinta originally thought Chosen's two older siblings had broken something. That was before she noticed the door leading to the garage was open.
"Quinta entered the garage and discovered Chosen in the driver's seat of the family vehicle with a single gunshot wound to his head," officers said.
Officers added that Chosen was excited about the family outing and likely got in the car to wait for the rest of his family before he found the gun under the driver's seat.
Detectives have recovered the gun from the family's car, according to the department.
Davenport Police Chief Steve Parker called the incident "a heartbreaking tragedy."
"As a father and grandfather, I can't imagine what Mr. and Mrs. Morris are going through right now," Parker said.
The police chief is expected to provide more details at a press conference around 2 p.m. on Monday.