Jeremiah Lovelle Banks was a 3-year-old boy from Waukegan, Illinois, who died on October 13, 2016, after a gunshot wound to the head. According to the coroner’s autopsy, the wound was self-inflicted after Jeremiah found a 9mm semi-automatic handgun on his parents’ dresser in the early morning, carried it into the living room, and accidentally shot himself. He was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The Waukegan Police Department described the scene as horrific. Jeremiah’s parents were not taken into custody immediately; police met with the district attorney to review the case and the Department of Children and Family Services opened an investigation for potential neglect. DCFS reported no prior contact with the family. No charges were filed immediately while the investigation continued.

This case underscores the reported danger of unsecured firearms in homes with young children. Does anyone have information about safety practices in that community at the time or knew the family and can share relevant details?