A four-year-old boy shot and killed his two-year-old cousin after finding a gun that was not secured inside a vehicle in Kissimmee, Florida, on Sunday, July 13, 2026. The incident involved a family from Georgia who had traveled for a vacation and was confirmed by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. The case has once again brought up the discussion regarding the safe storage of weapons in homes and vehicles when minors are present.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. at a rental home located on Scrapbook Street, where the family had arrived to celebrate the third birthday of the deceased child. According to the police report, the two children were alone in the car when the older one found the gun, which belonged to the deceased child’s mother, and accidentally fired it. Sheriff Chris Blackmon explained in a press conference that the weapon was “literally out in the open,” without a safety or holster, which made it easy for the children to access it.
The case has had widespread national repercussions, as reported by ABC News, and has reignited concerns regarding access to firearms in the presence of minors. The family, identified as being from Louisville, Georgia, was in Kissimmee to celebrate the birthday of Brayden Tennyson, who suffered the fatal wound. The incident adds to others similar to it recorded this year in Florida and other parts of the United States, according to official data and specialized organizations.
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What happened in Kissimmee, Florida, on July 13, 2026?
The accidental shooting took place in the parking lot of a vacation rental home in Kissimmee, a city in central Florida. The family had arrived from Georgia for a vacation and was unloading the vehicle when the incident occurred. According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the two-year-old child, Brayden Tennyson, was inside the car with his four-year-old cousin, who found the gun and fired it accidentally.
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At that moment, the adults were outside the vehicle. Upon hearing the gunshot, they quickly got into the car and requested help from emergency services. According to the official statement, the minor was immediately transported to a local hospital, where his death was confirmed shortly after admission. The information was ratified by Fox 35 Orlando and Click Orlando.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the shooting occurred on July 13, 2026, at a vacation rental home on Scrapbook Street. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Who was the victim and how did the shooting happen?
The victim was identified as Brayden Tennyson, a two-year-old boy from Louisville, Georgia. According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the family had traveled to Kissimmee to celebrate the child’s birthday, who would have turned three two days after the incident. The weapon involved belonged to Brayden’s mother and was unsecured inside the vehicle.
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Sheriff Chris Blackmon detailed in a press conference that the weapon was not stored in a case nor did it have a safety on. “It was literally out in the open. If it had been in a holster, perhaps the child would not have been able to handle it. But like that, he only had to pick it up and pull the trigger,” Blackmon indicated, as reported by Fox 35 Orlando. The four-year-old minor, the victim’s cousin, found the weapon and accidentally fired it, striking Brayden.
What did the authorities say about gun storage and responsibility?
The case was investigated by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, which seized the weapon and interviewed those involved. Sheriff Chris Blackmon insisted during his media appearance on the importance of keeping firearms out of the reach of children. “This is something as simple as putting a lock on the gun and thus preventing children from having access,” stated Blackmon, as quoted by Fox 35 Orlando.
The sheriff’s office reminded that it offers free gun locking devices to county residents. Additionally, authorities pointed out the importance of following the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which advises storing firearms unloaded and locked away, out of the reach of minors, as a preventive measure.
The family from Louisville, Georgia, had traveled to Kissimmee to celebrate Brayden Tennyson’s birthday when the accidental shooting occurred. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
What legal actions are being considered following the incident?
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reported that the investigation remains open. So far, no criminal charges have been filed, but the state attorney’s office is reviewing the case. Investigators are seeking to determine if there was negligence on the part of the adults responsible for the weapon and the care of the minors. According to ABC News, the state attorney’s office indicated that “given that the investigation remains active, there is no information available to release at this stage.”
Sheriff Blackmon noted that authorities are in contact with the state prosecutor’s office to evaluate whether charges should be filed. “The case remains under investigation and potential charges are being evaluated,” the sheriff’s office stated in a release reported by ABC News. The weapon involved was seized and the cause of death was confirmed by the local coroner’s office.
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What is the frequency of similar incidents in Florida and the United States?
The case of Brayden Tennyson is not an isolated incident. According to the organization Gun Violence Archive, at least 122 children up to 11 years old have died from accidental shootings in the United States between January 1 and July 15, 2026. In Florida alone, this is the third fatal case of a minor under 13 years old so far this year, according to statistics cited by Mirror.
Various organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, insist on the need for strict safety measures to prevent tragedies of this kind. The AAP recommends keeping guns unloaded, locked away, and stored in places separate from ammunition, especially in homes where children live or visit.
Sheriff Chris Blackmon reported that the weapon was exposed, without a safety or holster, inside the car where the two children were alone. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
How does this case impact the discussion on gun safety in vehicles and homes?
The incident that occurred in Kissimmee has reignited the debate regarding firearm storage safety in the presence of minors, both in vehicles and in homes. Osceola authorities and national organizations have reiterated the importance of education on the responsible and safe use of firearms.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reinforced the campaign for the free distribution of safety devices that block access to firearms, reminding that these resources are available to any resident. Sheriff Blackmon emphasized that the goal is to prevent tragedies like the one suffered by Brayden Tennyson‘s family from happening again.
What preventive measures do authorities recommend to avoid firearm accidents?
- Always store firearms unloaded and locked, using safes or special locks.
- Keep ammunition in a separate place from the firearm.
- Do not leave firearms in places accessible to minors, not even for brief periods.
- Request free locking devices at local police stations.
- Educate children about the dangers of handling firearms.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reported that any resident can request a gun lock at no cost at the police headquarters. Additionally, the institution recommends that parents and guardians periodically review safety measures in the home and vehicle.
The adults were outside the vehicle when they heard the gunshot and took Brayden Tennyson to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
What can be expected after the investigation of the case in Kissimmee?
The investigation process initiated by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and the state attorney’s office will determine whether criminal charges are filed against the adults responsible for the weapon. Decisions are expected in the coming weeks, according to authorities. In the meantime, the case has prompted new awareness campaigns in the state and nationwide regarding firearm storage safety.
The death of Brayden Tennyson has had an impact on the local community and has sparked a renewed debate about the responsibility of adults who own firearms, especially in environments where minors live or pass through.
