The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a firearm discharged during cleaning in Deltona, injuring a 4-year-old girl in the chest and arm and her mother in the leg, according to WFTV. Both victims were conscious and alert when deputies arrived, WESH reported.
Deputies said the firearm discharged unexpectedly while a man was cleaning it, according to FOX 35 Orlando. The bullet struck the girl in the chest and arm and then wounded her mother in the leg. Both victims remained responsive when deputies reached them.
Deputies Provided Trauma Care at the Scene
Deputies treated the victims at the scene before paramedics took over. They applied a chest seal to the girl's chest wound and used tourniquets on both victims to control bleeding, according to WESH.
The girl was airlifted by Air One to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer, while her mother was taken by ground transport to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital.
Firearm-storage guidance
For prevention context, according to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention Program, the American Academy of Pediatrics defines proper firearm storage as locked and unloaded, with ammunition stored separately.
Investigation Remains Active
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office says the investigation remains active. Officials have not released further details about the circumstances or said whether the man whose gun discharged will face charges.
Florida law does address situations where negligence with a firearm leads to injury. Under Florida Statutes section 784.05, anyone who, through culpable negligence, exposes another person to personal injury commits a misdemeanor of the second degree. It remains unclear whether prosecutors will pursue any charges tied to this Deltona case as the investigation continues.
