4-Year-Old Boy Hospitalized After Accidental Shooting in Kissimmee: Potential Liability in Florida Negligent Firearm Injury Cases

A heartbreaking incident in Kissimmee, Florida has left a young child hospitalized after what authorities are calling an accidental shooting.

According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting occurred around 3:30 p.m. on April 9, 2026, along Amber Way in Kissimmee. Deputies say a 4-year-old boy suffered a single gunshot wound and was transported to the hospital with significant injuries. As of Thursday evening, the child was reportedly in stable condition in the ICU. Authorities have stated that the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.

Although law enforcement has described the incident as accidental, accidental shootings involving children are often entirely preventable and may give rise to civil liability when negligent adults fail to properly secure firearms.

Florida Gun Owners Have a Duty to Secure Firearms Around Children

Firearm owners have a legal and moral responsibility to store weapons safely, particularly when children are present in or have access to the home.

Under Florida Statute § 790.174, a person who stores or leaves a loaded firearm within reach or easy access of a minor may face criminal liability if the child gains access without supervision. Beyond criminal consequences, negligent firearm storage may also expose the gun owner and other responsible parties to civil liability for injuries caused.

Examples of negligent firearm storage include:

• Leaving a loaded firearm unsecured in a home
• Failing to use a gun safe or trigger lock
• Leaving firearms accessible in vehicles
• Allowing children unsupervised access to areas where weapons are stored
• Failing to educate household members about firearm safety

Who May Be Liable for a Child’s Gunshot Injury?

Depending on the facts uncovered, potentially liable parties may include:

• The owner of the firearm
• The homeowner or tenant where the shooting occurred
• Parents or guardians responsible for supervising the child
• Any adult who knowingly allowed unsafe firearm access

If the firearm belonged to someone other than the child’s parent or guardian, additional negligence claims may arise.

Compensation Available in Florida Child Injury Cases

When a child is seriously injured due to another party’s negligence, the family may be entitled to pursue compensation for damages such as:

• Emergency medical expenses
• ICU and hospitalization costs
• Future surgeries or medical treatment
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

Because gunshot injuries can have lifelong physical and psychological consequences, the long-term value of these claims can be significant.

Why Immediate Investigation Matters

In negligent firearm injury cases, early investigation is critical to preserve evidence and determine exactly how the shooting occurred.

Important evidence may include:

• Police and incident reports
• Firearm ownership records
• Witness statements
• Surveillance or home security footage
• Photographs of the firearm’s storage location
• Forensic evidence regarding firearm placement and discharge

Our Thoughts Are With This Child and His Family

Our thoughts are with this young boy and his family as he fights to recover from this devastating injury. No child should ever suffer life-threatening injuries because a firearm was left accessible.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families throughout Florida in catastrophic child injury cases involving negligence, unsafe premises, and preventable accidents. If your child was injured due to negligent firearm storage or another preventable act of negligence, our firm can help investigate and determine whether legal action may be appropriate.

We offer free consultations and handle child injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fees unless we recover compensation for your family.