On the morning of September 12, 2016, two-year-old Benjamin Austin Smith of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest inside his grandparents’ home in Milford Township, where he lived with his father, Nicholas Wyllie. Benjamin and his father had been watching television; the toddler went to his room to watch Winnie the Pooh, and a short time later a loud bang was heard. Wyllie found his son bleeding on the floor and discovered an unsecured .45 caliber handgun in his own bedroom.

Benjamin was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in Quakertown and pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The investigation determined the handgun had been left unsecured; it was reported that both of Benjamin’s parents had taught him a two-handed grip with a toy pistol. Wyllie, an Army veteran with no prior criminal record, was arrested on charges including involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve up to two years in county jail.

The shooting prompted a local gun safety initiative called Ben’s Campaign -- Lock It Up, which distributed free gun locks in Bucks County. If anyone knew Benjamin or has information about that morning, please share what you remember.