DAVENPORT, Fla. – A four-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself with a handgun found in the family car has tragically passed away. Chosen Morris succumbed to his injuries on Saturday afternoon at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando.
The incident occurred on Friday evening at the Morris family home in Davenport. Chosen, his parents Robert and Quinta, and his two older siblings were preparing for a family night out when the accident happened.
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While his father was in the restroom and his mother was on the computer, Chosen wandered into the garage and climbed into the family vehicle. Detectives believe the young boy was excited about the outing and went to wait in the car. Tragically, he found a handgun hidden under the driver’s seat.
Chosen’s mother, Quinta, heard a pop and initially thought the children had broken something. After checking on her older children, she discovered Chosen in the car with a gunshot wound to his head.
The parents rushed Chosen to AdventHealth Heart of Florida, where he was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Chosen was pronounced deceased on Saturday afternoon.
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“This is a tragic accident,” stated Davenport Chief of Police Steve Parker. “As a father and grandfather, I can’t imagine what Mr. and Mrs. Morris are going through right now. Our prayers are certainly with the Morris family as they endure this heartbreaking tragedy.”
The handgun involved in the incident, a Smith & Wesson M&P.40 caliber, was recovered from the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing, but authorities have stated that the shooting appears to be a tragic accident.
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