A six-year-old boy was shot and killed in Tamarac yesterday afternoon, and detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding this fatal tragedy.

According to investigators, the heartbreaking incident occurred at approximately 3:29 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, near the 5600 block of Rock Island Road. BSO deputies and Tamarac Fire Rescue responded to reports of a shooting that occurred inside a residence at that location. When emergency crews arrived on scene, they located the child suffering from a single gunshot wound. The child was tragically pronounced deceased on scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was being watched by his uncle when he obtained an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.

Detective say the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

BSO implores gun owners to properly secure their firearms and practice essential gun safety tips. A firearm should always be unloaded and stored in a locked storage container that isn’t easily accessible to minors. Doing so protects children and adults by preventing unintentional shootings and incidents like this one. For more gun safety tips, see graphic below.

Tamarac; TMFR