Mom allows sons to handle gun in motel, Arizona cops say. 14-year-old shot dead
A mom allowed her sons to handle a gun in a motel room, then her 14-year-old was accidentally shot dead, Arizona police said.
Officers responding to the shooting at about 10:45 p.m. Aug. 10 found the teen unresponsive with a gunshot wound, the Phoenix Police Department said in a news release. He was pronounced dead by the fire department.
Multiple people inside the motel room were detained, police said.
Authorities said they learned the 40-year-old mom “left the area shortly after police arrived,” then came back.
The mom allowed her sons to handle the gun, and “a few moments later,”the gun went off, striking the 14-year-old and killing him, police said.
The mother was arrested on multiple charges, including child abuse, police said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Phoenix police did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for more information on Aug. 14.
This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Mom allows sons to handle gun in motel, Arizona cops say. 14-year-old shot dead."
