OCALA, Fla. – Ocala Police say a teenager accidentally shot himself in the neck and is currently in critically condition.
The shooting happened at the Shadow Oaks Mobile Home Park in Marion County on Monday afternoon.
Coming home on Monday afternoon, Pearl Delaney couldn’t believe what she was seeing just feet from her front door.
“All we saw was fire trucks, EMS, fire and rescue and police tape,” Delaney says sitting outside her home.
Ocala Police were responding to the 14-year-old boy who apparently shot himself – a teenager that neighbors say didn’t cause trouble in the neighborhood.
“Outside the home, he is a great kid,” Delaney begins. “He is wonderful. He has manners. He will say yes ma’am, no ma’am, please, thank you, all that good old southern hospitality.”
The teen that allegedly accidentally shot himself was visiting a friend in the neighborhood. Ocala Police say the victim found a gun inside his friend's parents' dresser.
Sherry Albertson lives about two blocks away from the shooting. She believes gun safety starts with parents.
“My dad was a gun owner,” Albertson explains. “We were taught to never to touch them, never go in the room, and that's what we never did.”
Delaney, who is expecting another child in a few months, hopes this experience will give parents an opportunity to sit and talk with their kids.
“If you have no gun education, don’t play with them,” Delaney states. But if you do, that's fine, teach your kids, but teach them a gun is not a toy.”
No adults were in the home when the shooting took place.
Not only is Ocala PD actively investigating this incident, but they are also asking parents to speak to their children about gun safety.