Florida Teen Arrested After 7-Year-Old Brother Accidentally Shoots Himself

A 16-year-old boy in Jacksonville, Florida, was arrested after his 7-year-old brother accidentally shot himself in the lower abdomen with a gun found in the teen's bedroom. The younger child was hospitalized and underwent surgery, but his injuries are not life-threatening. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the teen hid the firearm and spent shell casing after the incident and fled the scene before being arrested the following day. Authorities found no evidence implicating the parents, who were unaware of the firearm's presence. The teen faces charges of culpable negligence and tampering with evidence. Officials emphasized the preventable nature of the shooting and urged parents to discuss gun safety with their children and ensure dangerous items are not brought into homes.