LAKELAND, Fla. – A six-year-old boy has tragically passed away after suffering a gunshot wound to the head in Lakeland on Sunday. The Lakeland Police Department is currently investigating the incident.
The shooting occurred around 3:44 PM on January 5th in a parked vehicle outside a residence on the 200 block of West Crawford Street. The victim, identified as Major Smith, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) by family members but sadly succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, January 7th.
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According to investigators, Major was under the care of his father, Myron Smith Sr., and in the company of his adult brother, Myron Smith Jr., just before the shooting. The three had returned home from a store, and Major’s brother remained in his rental car, a grey Nissan Altima, while Major and his father sat on the porch.
Major’s brother briefly went inside the residence, leaving the keys in the car. While his father was outside on a phone call, Major managed to get into the Nissan and access a Glock 19X handgun that had been left between the driver’s seat and the center console.
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Upon hearing the gunshot, Major’s father rushed to the car and found his son injured. Major was immediately transported to LRH by his brother, where he remained in critical condition until his passing.
The Lakeland Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. No charges have been filed at this time.
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