2-Year-Old Killed After 4-Year-Old Finds Unsecured Gun in Car, Police Say

A 2-year-old boy died after his four-year-old cousin reportedly found an unsecured firearm inside a vehicle and accidentally fired it, according to authorities in Florida.

The fatal incident occurred Sunday afternoon outside a home in Kissimmee, where the children’s family had recently arrived from Georgia.

Police Respond to Fatal Shooting in Kissimmee

Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon said deputies were called to the residence after receiving a report that a young child had been shot.

When emergency teams arrived, they discovered a 2-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders immediately attempted life-saving treatment before transporting the child to Arnold Palmer Hospital.

Despite their efforts, the boy was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Following the shooting, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office homicide unit was contacted and sent investigators to the scene.

Four-Year-Old Allegedly Found Gun Inside Vehicle

According to the preliminary investigation, the four-year-old child found a firearm that had been left unsecured inside the family’s vehicle.

The weapon was discharged, and the bullet struck the 2-year-old boy, who was also sitting inside the car at the time.

Sheriff Blackmon said the visiting family had only recently arrived from Georgia and had not yet entered the Kissimmee home.

The medical examiner’s office and the Florida Department of Children and Families were both notified of the child’s death.

Children Were Alone in the Car

Authorities revealed that the two young children were alone inside the vehicle when the shooting happened.

Other family members were standing outside the car and preparing to enter the house when they suddenly heard a gunshot coming from inside the vehicle.

Investigators said the firearm had not been locked away, hidden or secured in a proper storage container.

Firearm Was Reportedly Left in the Open

During the news conference, Sheriff Blackmon explained that the gun was left openly inside the vehicle, making it easily accessible to a child.

He noted that even keeping the weapon inside a holster might have made it more difficult for a young child to operate. However, the gun was reportedly lying by itself and could easily be picked up.

Blackmon emphasized that firing a gun has irreversible consequences. Unlike a video game, he said, there is no opportunity to reset the situation after the trigger has been pulled.

In this case, the discharged bullet struck and killed a 2-year-old child.

Victim Identified as Brayden Tennyson

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office identified the child as Brayden Tennyson of Louisville, Georgia.

According to an online fundraising page created by a relative, Brayden’s family had travelled to the Orlando area to celebrate what would have been his third birthday.

The family described the trip as a vacation that was supposed to be filled with birthday celebrations, laughter and happy memories. Instead, it ended in a devastating loss.

Brayden was expected to celebrate his birthday the day after the shooting.

Fundraiser Created to Help Brayden’s Family

The GoFundMe page said Brayden’s mother was facing the overwhelming grief of losing her child while also dealing with the unexpected cost of transporting his body back home.

The fundraiser was established to help bring Brayden to Georgia so that he could be laid to rest near relatives and friends.

Organizers said all contributions would be used to cover transportation, funeral-related expenses and other financial pressures facing the grieving family.

As of Thursday afternoon, more than 250 people had donated over US$12,000 toward the fundraiser’s US$16,000 target.

Prosecutors Reviewing Possible Criminal Charges

The investigation remains active, and authorities have not announced whether anyone will face criminal charges.

Sheriff Blackmon said prosecutors were reviewing the circumstances of the case to determine whether charges should be filed.

Investigators are continuing to examine how the firearm was stored, how the children were left alone in the vehicle and who was responsible for the weapon.

Firearms Remain a Major Danger to American Children

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that firearm-related injuries were the leading cause of death among children and teenagers between the ages of one and 19 in the United States during 2020 and 2021.

The Kissimmee tragedy has once again highlighted the importance of keeping firearms unloaded, locked and stored in a location that children cannot access.

Gun owners are also encouraged to store ammunition separately and use safety devices such as trigger locks, cable locks or secure gun safes.

Osceola County Previously Distributed Free Gun Locks

In May, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office distributed several free gun locks as part of an initiative promoting responsible firearm ownership.

The program was intended to prevent accidental shootings by helping residents properly secure firearms inside their homes and vehicles.

Authorities continue to encourage gun owners to use locking devices and ensure that children are never able to reach an unattended weapon.

The death of Brayden Tennyson turned what should have been a joyful family birthday trip into an unimaginable tragedy. Authorities are still investigating how the unsecured firearm became accessible and whether criminal charges are appropriate.

The case serves as a painful reminder that even a brief failure to properly secure a gun can have permanent and devastating consequences. Firearms should always be locked, safely stored and kept completely out of children’s reach.