No foul play, no charges anticipated after Coward child killed during gunplay

Florence authorities said Friday that after an investigation, no foul played was involved and no charges are anticipated following an August 2, 2016, gun accident that left a 12-year-old child dead, and a 7-year-old wounded.

The incident occurred around 5 pm at a home in Coward, SC.

Three children aged 7,11, and 12, were being watched by a 15-year-old babysitter, the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.

The 11-year-old “gained access to a handgun and accidentally discharged the same, with a single round striking both victims,” the release stated.

How the child gained access to the firearm was not indicated and further information about the incident would not be released, Major Michael Nunn of the Florence County Sheriff’s Department said.

Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have enacted Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws which hold guardians responsible if a child gains access to and wounds or kills another person with one of their guns.

The Kaiser Family Foundation looked at states with firearm laws designed to protect children.

 

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 4:56 PM with the headline "No foul play, no charges anticipated after Coward child killed during gunplay."