Accidental Shootings Like This Should Be a Thing of the Past

26-year-old Shakeya Holmes has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and related offenses stemming from the death of her 4-year-old daughter, who found a firearm in the closet of their north Philadelphia home.

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The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that while prosecutors dismissed gun charges, Holmes ultimately faced additional charges including child endangerment, reckless endangerment, hindering prosecution and possession of an instrument of crime.

Police said 4-year-old Sani found a handgun on a closet shelf June 23. Prosecutors said Holmes repeatedly changed her story about what happened and lied to police about the provenance of the gun.

Holmes is to be sentenced March 31. Her boyfriend, Demetrius Williams, is also charged with involuntary manslaughter and related counts.

With so many great programs like the NSSF’s Project ChildSafe and the NRA’s Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program, and products like Tactical Walls and the Hornaday RapidSafe, accidents like the one that claimed Sani’s life should be a thing of the past. If you’re a gun owner with children in the home, please secure your firearms properly when not in use or carry them on your person, and take the time to have a discussion with your kids about gun safety.

It’s never too soon to start children on the path to firearms education and it just could save a life.

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