A 15-year-old boy is dead after what authorities say appears to be an accidental shooting inside a Ypsilanti Township home, rattling a normally quiet neighborhood and reigniting questions about safe gun storage.
Deputies found the teen inside a residence in the 7100 block of Deer Track Drive, where they performed first aid but were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead at the scene, with two other juveniles inside the home and no adults present at the time, officials said.
Deputies were called to the house around 6:30 p.m. on July 22, according to FOX 2 Detroit. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department later said, "Our hearts go out to the family and community of this tragedy and are steadfast in continuing this investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident."
Family members identified the boy to CBS News Detroit as Glenn Bradley Jr. They told the outlet the shooting took place in the family's garage after another child handled a pistol. Glenn Bradley Sr. said his son "was shot in his head," and the family has launched online fundraisers to help cover funeral costs.
Investigation and Legal Questions
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office says the case remains an active investigation, with deputies working to sort out the exact sequence of events, per FOX 2 Detroit. No charging decisions have been announced.
Michigan now has an "after-access" style safe-storage law that can expose adults to criminal liability if a minor gains access to an unsecured firearm, though the details of how and when that applies depend on specific statutory tests. For broader legal context on how different states handle child access and safe-storage rules, Giffords breaks down the various approaches to holding adults accountable.
Why It Matters
Several studies have found that states with secure-storage requirements see fewer unintentional shootings by children. Everytown reports that states with strong safe-storage laws experience rates of such incidents that are roughly 31 to 35 percent lower, and that accidental shootings involving children tend to spike in July.
Local advocates say those numbers translate into simple, practical steps: keep firearms locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition to reduce the chances of another tragedy like this one.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office at (734) 971-8400 or use the county's online reporting portal listed on the official website. Investigators have specifically urged neighbors with video or other tips to come forward.
