AKRON, Ohio — An 8-year-old boy has died after accidentally shooting himself.
The shooting happened at a home on Evergreen Avenue in Akron around 4:15 p.m.
According to police, the boy accidentally shot himself in the chest on the second floor of the home after finding the gun. The boy was taken to Akron Children's Hospital, where he died.
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the boy as D’Angelo Darrell Alcorn.
The boy's mother was home at the time.
Police don't know where the child found the unsecured gun. Police said there was no evidence of foul play.
"What we do know is that it was accessed from inside the house; we don't know exactly where it was taken from," said Akron Police Captain Michael Miller.
The Akron Police Department, Akron Children's Hospital and dozens of other police departments and organizations offer free gun locks in Summit County. Akron Children's Hospital has programs to educate adults about gun safety and ways for adults to keep little ones from getting their hands on guns. Experts suggest keeping ammunition separate from the gun and always keeping the gun locked.
"Our main goal is to work together to keep kids safe and one of the things to do is to securely store firearms," said Sherry Blair, Akron Children's Hospital.
For information on free gun locks, call 330-543-8942 or akronchildrens.org/safekids.
No charges have been filed.
Experts recommend keeping ammunition separate from a gun and always having the firearm locked up.
The child was a student at Crouse Elementary School. News 5 reached out to the school district, but so fa,r there has been no response.
