Child, 4, Accidentally Shoots Himself with Gun Found Under Dresser: Hillsborough Sheriff

TAMPA, FL – A 4-year-old Tampa child accidentally shot himself in the chest Tuesday with a gun that detectives believe he found unsecured and loaded underneath a dresser, according to law enforcement.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies, called at 8:39 a.m. to a shooting report in a home on the 12500 block of Tinsley Circle in Tampa, found the injured boy, who was transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the premises and found a Taurus .380 handgun loaded with nine rounds of ammunition, the department said. They also discovered a bag containing white powder that later tested positive for cocaine, deputies said.

An adult resident at the address, Akia A. Thomas, 26, was arrested for suspected possession by a convicted felon of a weapon and nine counts of possession of ammunition, unsafe storage of a firearm and possession of cocaine.

The department did not disclose the relationship between Thomas and the injured boy.

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--Image via Hillsborough Co. Sheriff