A quiet Friday morning in Fond du Lac County turned devastating when a 2-year-old was fatally shot inside a family vehicle after a 4-year-old sibling found a loaded handgun in the center console. The shooting happened around 10:26 a.m., and although deputies and first responders arrived quickly and began life-saving efforts, the child died at the scene. Authorities say a parent had briefly stepped back into the home and that foul play is not suspected.
According to WISN 12 News, three young children were inside the parked car while a parent went back into the house to grab a forgotten item. In that brief window, the 4-year-old reportedly located the loaded firearm in the console and the gun discharged, striking the younger child.
Response at the Scene
WBAY reports that deputies, the North Fond du Lac Ambulance and Lamartine first responders rushed to the scene, and a ThedaStar medical helicopter was requested because of the severity of the child’s injuries. A deputy and medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures, but the toddler was pronounced dead at the scene. The Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner’s Office is assisting with the investigation.
Investigation
FOX6 Milwaukee reports that the shooting took place in the Town of Lamartine. The sheriff's office described the incident as isolated, with no other injuries. A chaplain and a crisis social worker were sent to support the family as investigators work to determine exactly how the gun was accessed and fired. Officials say any potential criminal charges will be decided once the investigation is complete.
Unintentional Shootings by Children
National data shows that what happened in this Fond du Lac driveway is part of a grim pattern. Everytown for Gun Safety’s #NotAnAccident index finds that almost every day in the United States, a child gains access to a loaded firearm and unintentionally shoots themself or someone else. Preschool-age children are among the most vulnerable in these incidents, largely because they are old enough to explore but too young to understand the danger of a real gun.
Gun-safety advocates say secure storage is the single most effective way to prevent these tragedies. That means keeping firearms unloaded, locked and stored separately from ammunition so that curious hands cannot reach them.
What Officials Say and Next Steps
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office told reporters that the family is cooperating with investigators and that detectives are working closely with the medical examiner, according to WBAY. The sheriff’s office has urged residents to keep firearms out of reach of children, underscoring that the question of criminal charges will be left to prosecutors after the investigation is wrapped up.
How Families Can Reduce Risk
Safety organizations recommend straightforward steps that can dramatically lower the odds of a child finding a gun. These include storing firearms unloaded in a locked safe or using a cable lock, keeping ammunition in a separate locked spot, and using childproof storage devices when a firearm is left in a vehicle. More detailed guidance and resources on secure storage are available from groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety and national child-safety programs.
