Jackson toddler third Central Mississippi child shot to death in past month
What can be done to stop gun violence? Veteran law enforcement officer weighs in
What can be done to stop gun violence? Veteran law enforcement officer weighs in
What can be done to stop gun violence? Veteran law enforcement officer weighs in
A Jackson toddler who died after an accidental shooting this week is the third child in Central Mississippi lost to gun violence in the past month.
Jackson police said 1-year-old Jordan Bradfield died Thursday after he was shot in the head by a 14-year-old who was handling a .22 caliber weapon.
In June, 9-year-old Ashton Walden was killed in Canton after his 2-year-old sister shot him with a gun she found under the seat of her mom’s car, according to police. Days later, Vicksburg police said a 14-year-old playing with a gun at a house on Elizabeth Circle fatally shot his 11-year-old cousin.
"This problem starts solely, and lies squarely, on the household," said veteran law enforcement officer Kevin Levine, who teaches criminology at Jackson State University.
Levine said a parent should never let a child know they have a gun in the house.
“And then next, don’t let them see it and say, ‘Don’t touch this,’ because, you know that’s the first thing they’re going to touch,” Levine said.
Levine said the owner of a gun used in an accidental deadly shooting could face criminal charges unless they can prove they took steps to keep the weapon away from a child.
“If that individual was grossly negligent and should’ve taken any form of precaution, then that individual needs to be charged,” Levine said.
In Canton, police said the mother who left the gun in her car could face child neglect charges. In Vicksburg, police charged the suspected teenage shooter with manslaughter culpable negligence. Officers have not arrested the owner of that weapon.
Police questioned the 14-year-old involved in the Jackson shooting, but haven’t filed charges against anyone.