Child shot with rifle while playing with Nerf guns dies, Alaska troopers say
A child died after he was shot with a rifle during what started as a Nerf gun battle, Alaska State Troopers reported.
Two children were playing with Nerf guns when one picked up a real rifle and fired, troopers said in a news release. The shot killed the other child at about 1:45 a.m. Sunday, July 30, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Nerf guns are popular toys that fire foam darts, discs or balls and are not supposed to hurt the target. Officials did not say why one child picked up a real gun.
The fatal shooting took place in Mountain Village, a town along the Yukon River about 460 miles west of Anchorage, troopers said.
Health aides pronounced the child dead, and the remains were taken to Anchorage for an autopsy, troopers said.
An investigation into the death continues.
Thousands of people die every year from firearm injuries in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Firearm injuries are a serious public health problem,” officials said. “In 2020, there were 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the United States – that’s about 124 people dying from a firearm-related injury each day.”
Firearm-related injuries were one of the top leading causes of death for people ages 1 to 44 in 2020, the CDC reported.
“More than half of firearm-related deaths were suicides and more than 4 out of every 10 were firearm homicides,” the CDC says.
The impact of gun violence, however, goes beyond the death toll, experts said.
“The effects of firearm violence extend beyond victims and their families,” according to the CDC. “Shooting incidents, including those in homes, schools, houses of worship, workplaces, shopping areas, on the street or at community events can affect the sense of safety and security of entire communities and impact everyday decisions.”
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 7:47 AM with the headline "Child shot with rifle while playing with Nerf guns dies, Alaska troopers say."