Toddler killed in accidental gun discharge at Florida Burger King drive-through

Around 6:23 p.m. on Thursday, a father and his 3-year-old son were in the drive-through lane of a Burger King in Bartow when the father's gun went off, killing the child. The father had been trying to resolve a payment issue with his card and was on the phone when he removed the firearm from his hip and placed it somewhere in the vehicle. According to the sheriff's office, the boy, who was not secured in a seat belt, reached for the gun and unintentionally fired it.

A woman in the parking area called 911, and first responders transported the child to Lakeland Regional Health, where he died at approximately 7:30 p.m. Sheriff Grady Judd called the event an accidental shooting and noted that authorities will wait seven days before forwarding the case to the State Attorney’s Office. He added that, based on early information, no criminal charges are being pursued at this time.