Three-year-old Rudy Sweere died after an accidental shooting at his family home in Oak Valley Township, near Deer Creek, Minnesota. The incident occurred on December 29, 2024; emergency services received a 911 call about 5:40 p.m. reporting that Rudy had shot himself. First responders transported the critically injured child to a hospital in Wadena, where he died the next morning.

The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office investigated how the toddler accessed a firearm. Investigators reported that childproof measures were in place around the house, but a door to a room where a gun was kept in a closed drawer had been left partially ajar briefly, allowing the child unsupervised entry. In March 2025 the county attorney concluded no criminal charges would be filed and the case was closed as a tragic accident. A community GoFundMe for funeral expenses quickly exceeded its goal.

If anyone witnessed the events that evening or has information about the circumstances in the home, please share what is known.