LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — There will be no charges filed in the fatal shooting of a three-year-old at a Lancaster County campground.
The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office concluded its review of the death of a three-year-old boy at the Tucquan Park Family Campground in Martic Township. The child was pronounced dead at the scene from a tragic, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
On Oct. 20 at 5:34 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to the campground for the shooting. According to troopers, the family was setting up the campground after their arrival.
The father of the 3-year-old retrieved a phone charger from his truck so the family could listen to music. At the same time, he retrieved his holstered 9mm firearm from his truck to safely store it in the bedroom area of the camper. He then entered the camper to plug in a charger and his phone.
The mother of the 3-year-old was cooking dinner inside the camper.
The father reportedly realized the outside speakers were not working and placed the holstered firearm on a collapsed dining room table so he could turn on the outside speakers by pushing a button, which was located just a few steps away.
As the father bent down to push the button, he heard a "pop" as soon as he pushed it, according to PSP. The child's mother did not see what occurred but verified that the father was in the camper for a brief period of time.
The child was reportedly running around inside the camper at the time of the incident. He was pronounced dead at the scene from an accidental gunshot wound to the eye.
The gun was found next to the child, outside of the holster.
The firearm was legally owned and another firearm, a rifle, was located secured in the bedroom area of the camper with the safety on.
According to PSP, there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol at the scene.
The District Attorney's Office received and reviewed investigative reports by PSP and concluded the incident was a tragic accident. The mistake in judgment ultimately led to the child's death but did not rise to the level of a criminal act based on the nature and intent of the circumstances.
The father failed to perceive the risk present when he briefly placed the holstered firearm down with the intention of immediately returning to secure it in another room while the child was seemingly preoccupied with running around the camper.
