Three-year-old Maxwell Alexander Lamatrice of Valley City, Ohio, died on April 10, 2024, after an accidental shooting in his family’s garage. Authorities describe the death as accidental and say they investigated how the firearm was accessed and handled, but have not released specific details about the circumstances that allowed the child to reach the gun.

Investigators have reviewed household firearm safety practices and discussed whether negligence or lapses in safety could lead to charges; no arrests had been made as of the last report. The community has expressed condolences and concern about unsecured guns in homes.

If anyone has information about the incident or about firearm storage practices at the address, please share what is known with the investigators handling the case.