Latest Headlines
- Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing $104K While Working As Brinks Driver
- Century Backtracks On Community Center Rental Rate Hike
- ‘Don’t Try Nothin Stupid’: Report Details Failed Bank Robbery Attempt, Desperate Plea By Woman, 63
- FHP I-110 Operation Leads To 8 DUI, 3 Super Speed Arrests, Citations
- Santa Claus Is Coming To A Library Near You
- Ransom Middle School Hits High Note With Four Students On Florida All-State Band
- Escambia County Felon Sentenced On Federal Drug And Firearm Charges
- Tate Softball To Host Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp
- Man Traversing North Escambia On A Mission To Walk Across America From Top To Bottom
- Escambia County Kicks Off The ‘Keep The Wreath Green’ Fire Safety Campaign
‘A Tragic Misunderstanding’ — Sheriff Details Accidental Shooting Of Walnut Hill Teen
October 28, 2025
A 16-year-old remains in critical condition after being accidentally shot in the chest early Sunday morning in Walnut Hill. Another teen is facing charges, but he is not charged with the shooting itself.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons told NorthEscambia.com Monday afternoon that another 16-year-old took a weapon that belonged to his sister’s boyfriend out of the glove compartment of her car without permission.
“He and another 16-year-old were talking about the gun, and they thought if they removed the magazine the gun was empty,” he said. “And, unfortunately, that was a tragic misunderstanding on their part because one round was left in the chamber and that was the shot that went off when he pointed it at the 16-year-old victim.”
It happened at a gathering at a home around 12:05 a.m. Sunday near South Highway 99 and Morgan Road.
The victim was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. His mother has posted on social media that he has undergone surgeries and is continuing to fight for his life.
The sheriff said witnesses, the suspect, and the victim gave corroborating statements.
“Even the victim said to point the gun and pull the trigger for whatever reason,” Simmons said. “There’s obviously a lesson here, a very serious lesson here that had very serious consequences.”
The teen who discharged the 10mm semi-automatic weapon has been charged with grand theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a minor.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Comments
19 Responses to “‘A Tragic Misunderstanding’ — Sheriff Details Accidental Shooting Of Walnut Hill Teen”
Its so sad that such a horrible thing happpend to this sweet boy I’m praying for u buddy
I do know that the kid that got shot does know gun safety. His Dad, his Grand Fathers, his Uncles and Great Uncles have always been teaching him around guns while hunting. It was just a bad discussion in a blink of an eye. That changed the course of everyone’s lives forever. Thank the good Lord above that he is pulling through.
@Layla, prayers for you as well. Hope that your friend recovers and you keep strong
as a 14 year old and knowing the boy this happend to you need to think how was this an accident I heard so many story’s all ready so I cant wait to hear his side prayers for this sweet boy
Our thoughts prayers for the child and family. Most importantly, I’m retired USN and never in my childhood or in any home I owned, was there ever a firearm or a need for one! Yes, tell me about a different world you live in, great excuse. Hunters, I understand as I spent 14 years of my life in Walnut Hill. Absolutely no excuse to have any firearm assessable to others. Stop your excuses and take action!
Unfortunately most kids don’t have any understanding of how weapons really operate and television shows and movies are where kids get their perception on how weapons work. New generation and less educated in general.
Agree with JMac.
@Eric
I didn’t complete my thought. What I meant was it takes 1 second to rack a round if needed in a life or death situation. Why do we have weapons so readily available…..because of the world we must live in. If your gun is needed to keep someone else from hurting you I would gladly accept the 1 second it takes to have it ready to fire then have it laying around for those who do not know or maybe practice gun safety. Honestly, that to me is an occurance much more willing to take place than someone trying to kill me. Being a responsible gun owner includes knowing where your weapon is at all times and if not secured who is around it if you are not. There were several safe avenues, decisions, passed by before it got to 2 young men who were not taught or disregarded gun safety as described by Sedition. Obviously, this was an accident but an object was involved that alot of times gives no second chances. I pray all involved escape this nightmare.
Regardless he fired that shot. He should be charged with the shooting itself. At this point victim is fighting for his life.
A lot to unwrap here, the main thing is hope and.prayers for the young man suffering. Next we have to understand you can’t take a bullet back once it leaves the barrel. Next a lot of education needs to come out of this, if it’s not yours leave it alone and what in the world are 16 yo kids doing in this environment at that time of night. If any good can come out of this maybe it can be a teaching moment on several fronts
@Sedition:
Great reminder of gun safety. My husband taught hunter safety in Escambia County. Parents could use this as a teaching opportunity.
Such a horrible situation. Children, no matter what age, should be taught, loaded or not, a gun is NEVER a toy. Praying for ALL involved.
I would add: Never leave a loaded, chambered weapon unattended.
I pray for the boy who was shot, for his family, and for the boy who shot him. What an awful tragedy.
Prayers to the victim and his family for a full recovery. God bless each one of you and hold you in His arms.
@sedition
Yes!
And add…if something isn’t yours, leave it alone. (Something I learned in Kindergarten).
@Rusty,
That one second can mean the difference of life or death. I’d rather place emphasis on handling a a weapon safely. But, years of military and LEO experience has shaped my thoughts. Regardless, it’s good that you are conscious of safety.
Sedition is 100% CORRECT. RULES EVERY 5-year old should know.
1 Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
2 Always point your gun in a safe direction.
3 Never point your gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
4 Keep your finger off the trigger until your ready to shoot.
5 Be sure of your target and what’s beyond.
Thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery by the victim. Gun safety should be a mandatory class taught to all students, beginning in middle school with a refresher course in high school. Stupid, avoidable incidents like this would be virtually eliminated with a little bit of knowledge of gun safety.
Very very sad situation for all involved. I have always taught our kids to never have one in the chamber when in storage. It takes 1 second to rack a round. I see several bad decisions among multiple people in this scenario. We are certaintly praying for the young man’s recovery and hoping he pulls through….