Deputy's toddler accidently kills himself.

[retdetsgt]

I can't think of many things that could be more devastating.


by Teresa Blackman, KGW Staff
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 6:54 AM
Updated Wednesday, Sep 15 at 8:46 PM

BATTLE GROUND, Wash. – The three-year-old son of a Clark County deputy accidentally shot himself in the head inside their home Tuesday night and later died, investigators said.

Three-year-old Ryan Owens passed away in the hospital early Wednesday morning, said Lt. Roy Butler with the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

Ryan had been rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, but he still could not be saved, Butler said.

Meantime, investigators remained at the scene. Deputies said the toddler’s dad was off-duty and home when the toddler accidentally shot himself.

“I can’t express the frustration that I have felt and still feel to know that we have lost another life. I am absolutely heartbroken for this family,” Sheriff Garry Lucas said Wednesday.
Investigators said the weapon used by the toddler was the deputy's personal gun, not his service weapon. No further details in the shooting were released.

“This is a tragedy for the family involved and for the greater department family,” said Chad Rothenberger, a spokesman for the Clark County Sheriff's Office. “This event also emphasizes the risk inherent with firearms and we encourage anyone who possesses a firearm to ensure that it is safely secured.”

The accidental shooting occurred around 10 p.m. Tuesday. Ryan died at 2 a.m., Wednesday. A regional major crimes unit comprised of detectives from Vancouver, Battle Ground and Clark County were working together in the investigation.

Back in 2003, the son of a Clark County sergeant accidentally shot and killed his younger sister with their dad’s handgun. Days later, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office began requiring that deputies lock up their service weapons at home.

“The Sheriff's Office is no stranger to tragedy, and took significant steps to ensure that appropriate firearms storage policies and procedures are in place following the very tragic death of Emily Randall in 2003,” Rothenberger said.

As part of that policy, the sheriff issued lock boxes to all deputies and asked that they safely secure their service weapons inside them while off-duty. That policy also recommended, but did not require that deputies lock up their personal weapons as well.

[Trip]

I can't either, RDS. Mann, so sad. ok, i'm out a pocket in about ten minutes...ttyl

[retdetsgt]

That S.O. is well regarded in the area, but the whole lock box thing is an overreaction, IMO. We have a lot more cops than they do and I can't recall a child of one of our guys ever doing something like that.

When my kids were little, I always kept my guns out of their reach, but where they were still accessible. I can't imagine ever having to lock them up. As they got older and I got a couple of stepsons, I made it clear that they could look at, touch and hold my guns anytime they wanted as long as they asked me first. The girls couldn't have cared less, but the boys asked me a couple of times, I think just to see if I would. I showed them how to unload them and let them hold them as long as I was present. I took them shooting at our police range several times and did everything I could to take the mystery out of them. Even though we tangled quite a few times when they were teenagers, the guns were never a problem.

Since I've had grandkids, I've had to go back to putting my guns up above their reach again. But I was always aware of where my guns were and never left them within reach of a little kid when I wasn't there. That lesson was brought home to me when I was young and the son in law of my employer had something like that happen. He left his two little boys in his truck when he ran into a store. Apparently, he stayed longer than he meant to because the oldest (5) found his pistol in the glove compartment and shot and killed his 3 year old brother. I was only 17, but that made an indelible impression on me.

[MikeG]

Tragic day. I can't imagine the pain of losing a child like that.

I can't say I always lock them up, but when little ones come to visit I have one of those finger activated small safes (as well as a big safe for long guns). its big enough for a pistol and magazines.

I used to not like the beeping until I caught 3 year old nephew playing with the safe by hearing the noise. It's a finger sequence combination but 3-year olds can get into anything so it was good to catch him. When alone, I just leave it open with the pistol so quick and no beeping. It's small enough to put anywhere.

3 year olds will get up in the night and quietly play and explore. That's scary and not just because of guns.

[Nole795]

I have trigger locks or a safe for all my firearms. That story is one of my worst fears with my child.

[Kimble]

That story is one of my worst fears with my child.

Ditto! My kid is barely a month old, but I lock my firearms in a safe by my bedside so I'm already in the habit of doing so when he's old enough to start exploring.

I hope the Lord can ultimately give comfort to this deputy and his family.

[delsolgirl]

This is so unbelievably sad. Prayers for the family.

[Outshined]

Horrible story. My kids are grown now, and I only have one home, but I still lock my gun in a safe,.. God be with the family.