Little Boy Accidentally Shoots His Cousin While Playing With His Father’s Gun

A devastating tragedy has rocked the Nothintwa locality of Ngcwanguba A/A in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape, after an 8-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 7-year-old cousin with a licensed firearm belonging to his father.

Police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo confirmed the heartbreaking incident, revealing that the firearm was retrieved from the father’s bedroom. “The young boy accessed the firearm in his father’s room and, while handling it, pointed it at his cousin. The weapon discharged, resulting in the tragic death of the 7-year-old on the scene,” Matyolo said.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the small rural community, raising renewed concerns over firearm safety and parental responsibility. Residents have expressed deep sorrow and disbelief, describing both children as inseparable friends who often played together.

Authorities have since launched an investigation into how the child gained access to the weapon. Police say the father may face charges related to negligence and failure to properly secure his firearm, as stipulated by the Firearms Control Act.

Community members have urged parents who own guns to take extra precautions and ensure firearms are stored safely out of children’s reach. Social workers have also been dispatched to provide trauma counseling to both families affected by the tragedy.

The case adds to a growing number of accidental shootings involving minors across the country, sparking calls for tighter gun storage regulations and awareness campaigns.

Captain Matyolo reiterated the importance of firearm safety, warning that negligence often leads to irreversible loss. “This was a preventable tragedy,” he said. As investigations continue, the local community mourns the loss of a young boy whose future was cut short in an accident that could have been avoided.