Though it began as an innocuous game, a 13-year-old boy accidentally killed his 9-year-old brother while they were playacting cops and robbers.
On July 8th, a 13-year-old boy shot and killed his 9-year-old brother in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. The incident has disturbed many people who are wondering what the two boys were doing that morning or if it was truly an accident. The victim has not yet been identified by police officials.
Brayden confessed to the police that he was unaware the gun contained a bullet when he held it to his brother’s head and pulled the trigger. Furthermore, Brayden stated he was the one who contacted 911. When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found his sibling bleeding profusely from the head with no pulse.
The boy, unfortunately, died at the Waynesboro Hospital.
The incident’s police reports were deeply troubling. They showed that Braydan said he knew the gun was loaded when he allegedly put it to his brother’s head and pulled the trigger because his brother wasn’t listening to him.
When his brother shot him, Brayden was lying on the couch watching YouTube videos. According to the investigators, the boy suffered a contact gunshot wound behind his left ear; this means that when his brother pulled the trigger, the muzzle of the gun was touching Brayden’s head. After the shooting incident occurred, he placed the gun back where he found it.
Then, he called 911 to report a fall. When EMTs arrived at the scene, they found the 9-year-old boy in an unstable condition and immediately took him to the hospital. However, despite their efforts, he did not survive.
Now people are wondering how Brayden had such easy access to a gun. According to their father, Matthew Snyder, he always kept his 9mm handguns loaded inside an unlocked console of their couch in the living room.
The victim’s family, more specifically belly Gonzales who is the aunt of these boys, organized a GoFundMe campaign. She wrote, “Yesterday forever changed all our lives. We not only lost a 9-year-old precious little boy, but we could potentially lose his 13-year-old brother.”
Following the event, Brayden was charged with first-degree criminal homicide and second-degree aggravated assault. Due to the severity of his actions, he was denied bail and will be tried as an adult.
Children should never be able to access guns. If you choose to keep a gun in your home, it is crucial that you store it where you can lock it away. The fact that Brayden got hold of his dad’s gun shows that gun owners must take responsible measures for their loaded weapons.
The tragedy involving Brayden and his brother is proof that children can be involved in horrific accidents with weapons.
The family is under public scrutiny after the tragedy. People believe that they should have taken better care in keeping their guns away from their children. In light of this, the aunt has asked for privacy as they try to heal from this painful ordeal.
