Florida Couple Arrested After Twins Shoot Themselves with Unsecured Handgun
A tragic incident unfolded in Orlando when a four-year-old twins shot themselves with a loaded handgun they found under a couch cushion in their home. The parents, Keishara Goodrum, 39, and Maurice Wayne Bright Jr., 40, were arrested following the incident, which left the boys critically injured. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported that one of the twins sustained a gunshot wound to the arm.
According to an arrest affidavit, Goodrum admitted to police that she had been drinking heavily the night before and had placed her gun under the couch cushion without securing it. She explained that she wasn’t wearing clothing with a waistband at the time. The next morning, as the parents were busy around the house, they heard a loud “pop” and discovered that the twins had accidentally shot themselves while playing.
Both children were rushed to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, where they are currently in critical but stable condition. In addition to the unsecured handgun, police also found three other firearms inside the family home. Goodrum faces two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm, while Bright has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
As a result of the incident, the Department of Children and Families has taken custody of the children. The parents are each being held on $10,000 bonds as they await further legal proceedings.
It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of gun safety and responsible firearm ownership, especially in households with young children. The tragic consequences of negligence in securing firearms can have devastating effects on families and communities.
Source: WFTV
