3-year-old dies in accidental shooting near Bartow Burger King

A 3-year-old died after accidentally shooting themself with their father’s gun near a Burger King in Bartow, the sheriff said.

What happened

The child was near a Burger King in Bartow when the shooting occurred. The sheriff said the child used the gun and was killed in what was described as an accident.

The gun belonged to the child’s father, according to the sheriff’s account. The circumstances place the incident within the area of Bartow identified in the report.

Investigation

The sheriff’s office is handling the case. The incident involves the death of a child and the use of a firearm.

The sheriff’s statement identifies the shooting as accidental. No other details about the investigation are included here.

Why the case matters

The death underscores the danger of leaving a firearm accessible to a young child. The sheriff’s office’s investigation will establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and any further official actions.