A 10-month-old baby boy, identified as Khamari Khols Lang, was fatally shot by his toddler sibling after the child found a loaded gun inside a parked car in San Antonio, Texas.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, October 21, in the parking lot of the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital.
The vehicle was occupied by a woman and three children aged three, two, and 10 months. While waiting for an appointment at the medical center, one of the toddlers discovered the loaded long gun in the backseat area. The child accidentally fired the weapon, striking the infant.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus described the event as a “terrible, terrible tragedy” during a press briefing on Monday. “One of the older children gained access to a loaded rifle located in the rear of the vehicle and pulled the trigger,” McManus said.
First responders rushed to the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but Khamari was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.
The family had recently relocated to San Antonio in hopes of rebuilding their lives. A GoFundMe page set up to assist with funeral expenses states, “We were in the process of rebuilding our lives and now have to face the unimaginable task of laying our sweet Khamari to rest.”
Authorities have not confirmed the relationship between the woman and the children, but reports indicate they are siblings. No charges have been filed at this time, and the San Antonio Police Department is continuing its investigation.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the exact cause and manner of death. Police have labeled the case a homicide but emphasize that the shooting appears to be accidental.
The tragic incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of firearm safety and the importance of securing weapons, especially around children.
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hundreds of young children have been killed in accidental shootings over the past two decades, often due to unsecured firearms. In Texas, while it is unlawful to store a firearm where children can access it, there is no specific state law mandating how firearms should be stored.
The community has expressed profound sorrow over the loss. Neighbors and friends are offering support to the grieving family.
