CLEWISTON, Fla. — The Clewiston Police Department says a 2-year-old boy died from a gunshot wound.
WATCH BELOW AS FOX 4'S ANVAR RUZIEV SPOKE WITH THE NEIGHBORS WHO HEARD THE SCENE:
On Oct. 30, the department says they responded to a house on South Lopez Street around 7:30 p.m. When they arrived, police say they found the 2-year-old dead with a gunshot wound.
Dr. Latricia Hylton, a longtime neighbor and educator, was leaving her church service just a block away when she heard the sirens.
"Children are supposed to be able to run in their neighborhoods and be free and just enjoy their youth," she said. "They shouldn't have to think about that."
The preliminary investigation has determined the gun was owned by someone living in the home, and no one else was involved in the incident.
Police say this appears to be isolated, accidental and there is no danger to the public.
Fox 4 reached out to Chief Thomas Lewis for clarification on how the child sustained the gunshot wound.
The chief confirmed the child did not shoot himself; however, it's not clear who shot the child and how the gun was accidentally fired.
"My condolences and prayer go out to the family," Hylton said. "Accident or not, you lose someone and there's a pain that goes with that. I think it worries everybody that lives here, and not just adults, but also the children."
The Hendry County Sheriff's Office and the Medical Examiner's Office were also on scene; the investigation remains active.
