A 13-year-old girl was taken to a San Antonio hospital late Friday after being struck by a bullet inside a West Side home, authorities said. She arrived at the hospital around 11 p.m. with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Police say the shooting appears to have been accidental and occurred while a man was handling a firearm in the room.
According to News 4 San Antonio, officers responding to the scene near the 200 block of Gus Garcia spoke with the girl and her guardian. The teen told investigators that a firearm in the room accidentally discharged and struck her while she and others were inside a bedroom. No arrests have been made based on the initial account.
Another Accidental Shooting Involving a Teen This Year
Friday’s incident is not the first this year in which young people in San Antonio have been injured by unsecured firearms. In July, the San Antonio Express-News reported that a 13-year-old was charged with manslaughter after a gun he was handling allegedly discharged, killing his 8-year-old brother on the East Side. The case prompted renewed calls from local advocates for safer storage and stricter oversight of firearms in homes.
Part of a National Crisis
Public-health experts note that incidents like this reflect a national trend. Data from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence show that firearms were the leading cause of death for children and teens aged 1 to 17 in 2023. In June 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory declaring firearm violence a public-health crisis and recommended measures such as secure weapon storage and increased research funding, as per Reuters.
Safety Advice From Investigators and Health Groups
San Antonio police continue to investigate the West Side shooting and have not reported any arrests as they determine whether charges will be filed, News 4 San Antonio reports. Medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that gun owners keep firearms unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately. Pediatricians often share this guidance during well-child visits to help prevent accidental shootings. Community programs and clinicians add that providing easy access to safe-storage devices and discussing gun safety directly with families can further reduce unintentional injuries.
Investigators have not released additional details about the people inside the residence or whether anyone may ultimately face charges. Public-health experts say the case is yet another reminder that careful handling and secure storage of firearms can mean the difference between a scare and a tragedy.
