JSO: Accidental shooting injures teenager, 7-year-old

Jacksonville police say a shooting that injured a 15-year-old and a 7-year-old Friday night appears accidental.

Both sustained non-life-threatening injuries to their lower extremities. They were taken to St. Vincent's Medical Center-Riverside about 10:30 p.m. The ongoing investigating revealed they had been shot in the 3100 block of West 15th Street in the Allendale neighborhood, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

"At this time, the shooting of both victims is being worked as an accidental shooting based on victim and witness statements. The investigation is still ongoing as to the source of the gun," Officer Melissa Bujeda, a Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, posted on the agency's Twitter account.

Bujeda also posted the shooting "could have been prevented if proper firearm storage was completed."

"Proper firearm storage is a must do …not a choice," Bujeda said.

The father of the younger boy said he didn't have any guns and didn't know where the gun came from. He also said he was working when the shooting happened, ActionNewsJax CBS 47/Fox 30 television reported.

Neighbors told the Times-Union the victims are cousins. Neither police nor neighbors named the victims.

The Sheriff's Office said nearly all firearm accidents in the home can be prevented when gun owners take simple precautions. Proper firearm storage is the No. 1 way to prevent gun accidents, according to the Sheriff's Office.

People should follow these precautions:

• Store unloaded firearms in a locked location — cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case — when not in use that is out of the reach and sight of children.
• Use a gun-locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use. A gun lock should be used as an additional safety precaution and not as a substitute for secure storage.
• Store ammunition in a separate locked location that is out of the reach and sight of children.
• Keep hidden keys and combinations to gun locks and storage areas.
• When a firearm is not in a locked location, keep it in your line of sight.

Anyone with information about the source of the gun or the shooting is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

Teresa Stepzinski: (904) 359-4075