Spring Hill Neighborhood (32720) – A heartbreaking accident has rocked the DeLand community in Volusia County, where a 5-year-old boy is fighting for his life after accidentally shooting himself in the head with an unsecured firearm found in his home. The child was rushed to a trauma center Monday afternoon and remains in critical condition, according to officials.
His father, 32-year-old Aaron Mitchell, has been charged with felony child neglect and unsafe storage of a firearm. Authorities say Mitchell left a loaded handgun on a low shelf in a bedroom, accessible to the young child while he played.
Key Facts
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BREAKING: 5-year-old boy shot himself with unsecured gun in DeLand, Florida
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IMPACT: One child critical, father arrested, community shaken
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OFFICIAL SOURCE: “This was preventable.” — Sheriff Mike Chitwood
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ACTION: Lock up all firearms, report unsafe storage anonymously
“This could have been avoided. It was pure negligence,” said Sheriff Mike Chitwood during a press conference Tuesday. “No child should ever have access to a firearm — period.”
Hyperlocal Impact
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Precise Location:
Spring Hill Neighborhood (32720) — Near East New York Avenue and Hilltop Drive -
Community Connection:
“We heard the sirens and then screaming. This shook all of us.”
– Denise Rowland, neighbor and mother of two
The incident has ignited fresh debate around Florida’s safe storage laws, with community members calling for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns. Child Protective Services has been alerted, and the father remains in custody at the Volusia County Jail.
Investigators are urging parents to lock up all firearms and educate kids on gun safety. Local trauma counselors have been deployed to assist the boy’s family and neighborhood.
Exclusive Angle
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WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
This is the third accidental child shooting in Volusia County in 2025, sparking urgent calls for mandatory gun lock legislation. The case comes just weeks after the State Senate rejected a bill that would have required biometric safes in homes with minors.
Crisis Response
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IMMEDIATE RESOURCES:
» Project ChildSafe (Free Gun Locks): www.projectchildsafe.org
» Florida Child Trauma Hotline: 1-877-352-5390 -
OFFICIAL GUIDANCE:
“Use trigger locks and store ammunition separately — every time.”
– Lt. Carlos Ruiz, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
Update Log
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4:15 PM: Father formally charged with felony neglect and unsafe firearm storage
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2:40 PM: Child in surgery, expected to remain in ICU for 48 hours
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12:10 PM: Sheriff confirms handgun was left unsecured in bedroom
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