California Boy, Father, Arrested Over Fatal Shooting of Another Child
A 53-year-old man and his child are in custody after the boy took a stolen gun from his father's car and fatally shot a fellow 10-year-old, according to authorities in Sacramento County, California. ANDRI TAMBUNAN/AFP via Getty Images

In a heart-wrenching incident, a 10-year-old California boy lost his life over the weekend, allegedly shot by another child using his father's stolen gun, according to USA Today.

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office responded to the distressing scene in a parking lot around 4:30 PM on Saturday, discovering a child with gunshot wounds to his head and neck.

Despite being rushed to the hospital, the California boy could not be saved.

The unfolding of events revealed that the child, who later faced arrest, went into his father's car to fetch cigarettes, where he found a gun.

Bragging about his father having a firearm, the child reportedly shot the victim once before fleeing to a nearby apartment.

California Boy, Father Face Charges

The California father, Arkete Davis, 53, and his son were apprehended in connection with the incident, PEOPLE noted.

The child faces a murder charge, while Davis, prohibited from firearm possession, is charged with several firearm-related felonies, child endangerment, and accessory after the fact.

The California father allegedly attempted to dispose of the weapon in a nearby trashcan after the shooting.

The recovered gun was reported stolen in 2017.

Davis is held on $500,000 bail, and his son is in custody at the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility.

The Sheriff's Office emphasized that the child's death was "completely avoidable." Sheriff Jim Cooper urged continued attention to the issue of illegally possessing guns and committing violent crimes, pledging the department's commitment to address these concerns in 2024.

Family, Friends Mourn Death of California Boy, Keith Frierson

The California boy, Keith Frierson, affectionately known as KJ, was enjoying his newly received Christmas gift - a bike - when the tragic incident occurred, CBS News reports.

Described as a son, brother, and friend with a great sense of humor, Frierson's untimely death has left his family and friends in shock and sorrow.

Nina Trepagnier, Keith's godmother, shared the heartbreaking moment when Frierson's brother witnessed the California boy lying on the ground, covered in blood.

Trepagnier emphasized that Keith was a trouble-free child who, along with a six-year-old friend, was simply riding his bike briefly before the unfortunate incident.

There was no apparent conflict or precursor to the senseless act.

The community is grappling with the pain, struggling to comprehend the tragedy that unfolded on what should have been a joyful Christmas season.

Trepagnier expressed the devastating impact on the California boy's family, friends, and the entire community.

Gun safety advocates have been issuing warnings to gun owners across the nation, emphasizing the critical importance of keeping firearms securely locked and inaccessible to children.

Alarming statistics reveal that hundreds of shootings each year involve children gaining access to guns.

Research conducted by the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety indicated that in 2023, there were at least 377 unintentional shootings by children in the US, resulting in 145 tragic deaths and 247 injuries.

A study utilizing data from the National Firearm Survey in 2021 estimated that approximately 4.6 million children in the US were residing in homes where at least one gun was unlocked and loaded.

These figures underscore the urgent need for increased awareness and adherence to responsible gun storage practices to prevent accidents and protect the safety of children.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: California boy allegedly used stolen gun found in dad's car to kill 10-year-old - From NBC News