Teen dies after 8-year-old accidentally shoots him in the eye with BB gun

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A teenager who was accidentally shot in the eye with a BB gun by an 8-year-old has died from his injuries, Tampa, Florida, police said. Family friends identified the teen as 17-year-old Ivan Johnson.

Johnson was riding in the front passenger seat of an adult male friend's car on Feb. 1 with the driver's 8-year-old son and 10-year-old stepson riding in the back, police said. The driver got out of the car to use an ATM. The 8-year-old accidentally discharged a loaded Daisy 800 BB/pellet rifle while attempting to move it and shot Johnson in the left eye, according to the police.

The teen was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and died from his injuries on Feb. 4, police said. "Never as a grandmother did I expect to bury a grandchild," Norine Wafford, the teen's grandmother, told Bay News 9. "Let alone one of my children, but this is my grandbaby."
A GoFundMe page has been setup for the victim's family to help pay for funeral arrangements.

"Ivan was a young man who enjoyed life to the fullest and with the vigorous tenacity of love," Timothy Howard, the organizer, wrote on the GoFundMe page. "He was an active member in his congregation of 15 years and offered his musical talents playing the organ for 9 years. Playing the role of many faces, Ivan took pleasure in dedicating his time to being the big brother, the best friend, the inspiration and the smile to all."

The incident remains under investigation by the Tampa Police Department.

https://www.koat.com/article/teen-dies-after-8-year-old-accidentally-shoots-him-in-the-eye-with-bb-gun/30866533

[dewsgirl]

1. These stories scare me to my core.

[Xipe Totec]

2. There but for the Grace of God... I shudder at the thought

I once shot a neighbor with a BB gun. Head shot at the center of the forehead from 20 yards.

In the middle of a neighborhood brawl.

To think what my life might have been if I killed him.

[zackymilly]

3. When I was younger, we used to have bb gun fights. No shots to the face, but we were lucky. nt

[Amishman]

4. We did the same, and also lucked out

Must have had a lot of luck to go around, as we did so much stupid stuff without serious injury.

[yonder]

5. Same here. I cannot believe all the stupid shit we did as kids (and adults) with minor consequences.

This case sounds like a negligent discharge. BB gun or not, it had no business being loaded, in a car and handled by a kid with little to no supervision.

Such a senseless and tragic outcome for the teen, his family and the young shooter too.

[Crunchy Frog]

6. Was there an adult with legal responsibility for the gun?

If so, I hope they get charged with negligent manslaughter.