5-Year-Old Finds, Shoots Self With Gun; Apollo Beach Man Arrested

APOLLO BEACH, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man on multiple charges after a 5-year-old was critically injured after finding and shooting himself with a gun.

On Sept. 1, at 8:10 a.m., the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call that a 5-year-old child accidentally shot himself. At the same time, Aston Simmons, 28, arrived at St. Joseph's Hospital South in Riverview with the injured child, according to a sheriff's report.

When detectives arrived at the home in the 6000 block of Sunsail Place in Apollo Beach, they said they smelled a strong odor of marijuana. No firearm or casing could be found, so detectives obtained a search warrant for the home. They determined that the 5-year-old found the loaded and unsecured gun in a bedroom and accidentally shot himself, said the sheriff.

Multiple pounds of marijuana and U.S. currency were seized from the home, along with drug paraphernalia.

Simmons has been charged with improper storage of a firearm and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

“There is never a circumstance where a child should have access to a firearm. Now, due to the careless actions of this man, a 5-year-old child is fighting to survive. Please pray for him as he clings to life, and know that the irresponsible person that caused this devastation has been arrested and will be held accountable," said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

The 5-year-old is in critical condition. Simmons is not related to the child.