Brandon Owens Jr. was 22 months old when he died on October 25, 2021, after an unsecured firearm discharged inside his Canton, Ohio, home and struck him in the face. He and another toddler, almost 3 years old, discovered the gun, which then discharged. Brandon was taken to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 7:08 p.m. that evening.

Canton Police launched an investigation and described the shooting as a preventable tragedy, noting the firearm was accessible to the children. No arrests or suspects have been announced and the investigation remains ongoing. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office and Canton officials emphasized securing firearms and using gun locks to prevent similar accidents.

If anyone knew the family, was in the area that day, or has information about how the firearm was left accessible, please share what is known.