On June 5, 1989, eight-year-old Erin Smith of Fort Lauderdale died after being struck in the chest by a .38-caliber revolver that discharged inside her home. Erin and her ten-year-old brother Sean had returned from school and were looking through their father’s dresser for video game cartridges when Sean found the gun. Unaware it was loaded, Sean began handling the revolver and it accidentally fired. Sean called 911 and tried to help Erin, but she died before emergency crews arrived.

Authorities treated the shooting as an accident; no arrests or criminal charges were filed against Sean or their parents. The death profoundly affected the family and community and prompted a rapid legislative response in Florida. Within weeks the legislature held a special session and passed a law making it illegal to leave a firearm unsecured and accessible to children.

If anyone knew Erin or has memories of the community response in Fort Lauderdale at the time, please share what you remember.