A 3-year-old boy who was just four days away from celebrating his fourth birthday died Thursday evening, October 22, 2026, after apparently shooting himself with his father’s handgun while sitting in the backseat of a vehicle at a Burger King restaurant in Bartow.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Bartow Police Chief Kyle Dowdy provided details of the tragic incident during a Thursday night press conference. The shooting occurred shortly after 6:23 p.m. at the Burger King in the 100 block of East Van Fleet Drive.
According to Judd, the child’s family relocated from Connecticut to Florida about four months ago. Both parents are managers at Lowe’s stores and had moved south to enjoy the warmer weather.
The child’s father pulled up to the Burger King drive-thru to buy dinner when his credit card transaction was declined. Judd explained that the father had previously experienced similar payment issues because the credit card company was detecting purchases in Florida while his account was still associated with Connecticut.
After the transaction failed, the father pulled into a parking space and began attempting to resolve the payment issue, possibly while communicating with a relative about getting Apple Pay to work.
Investigators believe the father, who was carrying a Glock handgun in his waistband, removed the firearm because it became uncomfortable as he bent forward while working with his credit card or phone. He then placed the handgun somewhere inside the vehicle.
Meanwhile, his 3-year-old son was playing in the backseat.
According to Judd, investigators believe the child noticed the unattended firearm, picked it up and accidentally discharged it, shooting himself in the face.
The sheriff said the father, who remained in shock during the investigation, could not recall precisely where he placed the handgun after removing it from his waistband.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the restaurant showing the father’s reaction immediately after the gun discharged.
“When all of a sudden he hears a loud pop, we see him jump out of the car and frantically start running around,” Judd explained.
Surveillance footage also showed a woman in a nearby vehicle exiting her car and calling 911.
Judd said investigators discovered a bullet hole through the roof of the vehicle, consistent with their preliminary assessment of how the shooting occurred.
Bartow police officers responded within minutes and immediately began lifesaving efforts. Chief Dowdy identified Corporal Anderson and Officer Ledford among the responding personnel who attempted to save the child.
The boy suffered a significant gunshot wound to his face and was rushed to Lakeland Regional Health, where medical personnel continued efforts to save his life. Despite those efforts, he was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:30 p.m.
“This is a horrible tragedy,” Judd said, emphasizing that the information provided during the press conference was preliminary and subject to change as investigators continued conducting interviews and reviewing evidence.
Dowdy also expressed condolences to the family and described the emotional impact of the incident on the responding officers and the community.
“This is an absolute tragedy,” Dowdy said, noting that the family would now be without their young son.
The sheriff also addressed the possibility of criminal charges against the child’s father.
Judd explained that Florida law provides for potential third-degree felony charges under certain circumstances when a child gains access to a firearm and injures themselves or another person. However, he said the applicable law requires authorities to wait at least seven days before taking criminal action and to consult with the State Attorney’s Office.
Judd said that, based on the preliminary findings, investigators would not recommend criminal charges against the father if the investigation ultimately confirms the circumstances described during the press conference. However, he emphasized that the State Attorney, Brian Haas, and his office would make any final charging decision after reviewing the completed investigation.
The Bartow Police Department is conducting the investigation with assistance from homicide detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities stressed that the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation and that their preliminary findings could change as additional evidence is examined.
Authorities did not release the child’s identity during the Thursday night press conference.
