Fourteen-year-old Jadon Lane Vaughn of Lake City, Florida, was shot and killed on December 26, 2018, while staying at a friend’s house in the 200 block of Southeast Anastasia Street. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office reported Jadon was playing with two brothers, ages 11 and 9, when the 11-year-old retrieved a handgun from his parents’ room, removed the magazine, pointed it at Jadon and the gun discharged, killing him.

Investigators said the handgun was one of two firearms registered to the homeowners. The parents, Sierra Watts and Jordan Palm, were charged with negligence for improperly storing loaded firearms. The 11-year-old was arrested and charged with manslaughter and taken to juvenile detention in Gainesville. Officers also reported the boys placed a kitchen knife near Jadon's body after the shooting.

Jadon’s mother, Brandi Sherrod, and his uncle, Wesley Harrington, spoke about the family’s grief and a GoFundMe was set up to help cover funeral expenses. What information do readers have about safe storage practices or community efforts that might prevent tragedies like this?