Stephen J Brumby Florida teen shot dead by dad at world’s safest gun range. Could one teen’s death have been averted? Coming to terms with gun safety.
Stephen J Brumby a 14 year old Florida boy has died after ‘accidentally’ being shot dead by his father at a shooting range which tooted itself as the world’s safest gun range.
The incident happened at High Noon Gun’s in Sarasota Sunday afternoon after the boy’s father,William ‘Clayton’ Brumby, 64, became disorientated after a ricocheting bullet he’s fired off hit a wall.
In an effort to remove the casing which landed on to his person, the father pointed his gun downwards, ‘accidentally’ firing into his son standing behind him.
At the time, two of the fallen teen’s six siblings, a 24 year old brother and a 12 year old sister were present, as they futilely watched their brother bleed to death.
Despite being taken to hospital, medics soon pronounced Stephen J Brumby dead.
To date, no charges have been filed against the dead teen’s father in what authorities according to a report via the dailymail described as a tragic accident.
Told police in a statement: ‘After firing a round, the spent shell casing struck the wall causing it to deflect and fall into the back of (the elder) Mr. Brumby’s shirt.
‘Brumby then used his right hand, which was holding the handgun, in an attempt to remove the casing. While doing so, he inadvertently pointed the firearm directly behind him and accidentally fired.’
Told regular gun range user, Goichi Matsumato, via ABC Action News: ‘It’s a nice location. It seems very safe. I wouldn’t think something like that would happen at this location.’
The report also quoted the shop owner who said that every safety protocol was in place, adding he ‘couldn’t have prevented this tragic accident even if he had been standing right there next to them.’
According to its website, High Noon Guns offers nine air-conditioned shooting lanes, and allows under-14s to shoot for free if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Of note a post (since removed) on the site’s Facebook page three weeks ago showed a child with a small rifle and the message ‘Properly trained kids don’t have accidents’.
‘At High Noon Guns, we are firm believers that safety comes first,’ the image’s caption read. ‘And part of that is ensuring we teach our children gun safety.’
‘Apparently there wasn’t proper training going on today…’ one user commented below the post.
While another another replied: ‘Properly trained people know ANYONE can have an accident….’
Never mind presumably properly trained adults….
A 2013 report by The Herald-Tribune described the shop’s range as possibly being ‘one of the safest indoor shooting ranges ever designed.’
According to the report, bullets are absorbed into ‘granulated rubber material’ downrange, backed by steel plating that is ‘capable of defeating a 20mm cannon’ – although it notes that only handguns and .22-caliber rifles were allowed.
Dividing panels between the shooters have wood-covered metal for protection and there are sound-dampening panels designed to absorb both noise and stray bullets.
Reacting to her son’s death, the teen’s mother, Elizabeth wrote on social media, ‘there are no words.’
Read a description on a GoFundMe page set up seeking $50 000 in donations: ‘Stephen Brumby, the fourth of seven children and the son of Clayton and Elizabeth Brumby died tragically July 3rd 2016.
‘In his 14 years of life he was described as “a meteor that couldn’t be contained” by his family or anyone that knew him.
‘He loved fishing, tennis music, archery, and knife throwing. He had an insatiable appetite to learn and was constantly sharing his wisdom with those around him.
‘He was passionate about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and dedicated his life to sharing his hope with everyone he met.
‘The families’ only comfort is knowing that He is communing with the heroes of his faith and rejoicing in paradise.
‘Your generous gifts and donations will help with the expenses the family is now faced with.’
To date $2900 has been donated.
And then there were these responses on the web that caught this author’s attention. See what you think?
Daddy got hit by a hot spent casing and accidentally shot his son. Used to see folks get goofy from the same during live fire qualifications. Dad should never pick up a weapon “ever again.” Ever…
Sounds like the dad is an idiot who should never again be near firearms.
the father had two hands … why not reach behind with the one with nothing in it?
Why is it every time there’s a horrible tragedy, the first thing on people’s minds is to open a GoFundMe and make money? This particular one has a goal of $50,000. Why do they need $50,000?
It doesn’t matter how safe the range is if the people shooting at it are negligent.
