Vanderburgh County, IN — Two 13-year-olds are facing charges after an accidental handgun discharge inside a residence on Kuebler Road, authorities say. The incident occurred when the teens, who admitted to stealing the gun from a neighbor’s vehicle, were reportedly playing with it and accidentally fired it inside a bathroom.
Deputies with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots-fired call on the 4000 block of Kuebler Road after a delivery driver reported hearing a gunshot and then seeing several children fleeing from the home. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers interviewed the two teens, who acknowledged that they had stolen the firearm and were handling it when the gun went off.
Miraculously, no injuries were reported, but the incident has raised concerns about gun safety, especially regarding unsecured firearms and unsupervised minors.
The teens were taken into police custody and will be referred to juvenile court. In the meantime, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to take extra precautions when storing firearms, particularly in vehicles, where they may be accessible to children.
“This incident highlights the dangerous combination of unsupervised minors and firearms,” said Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson. “Leaving firearms unsecured in vehicles poses a serious threat to public safety. We are fortunate that this incident did not result in a tragic outcome.”
The sheriff’s office also emphasized the importance of securing firearms at all times, including when they are not in use. They reminded the public that proper storage, such as using safes or locking devices, is critical in preventing such incidents.
While the teens face legal consequences, this event serves as a reminder to the community of the potential dangers posed by unsecured firearms, and the responsibility gun owners have to keep weapons out of reach of minors.
