18-03-2025
Gun violence advocate ‘infuriated' by shooting death of 8-year-old
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The circumstances surrounding the 'accidental' shooting death of an 8-year-old boy in New Haven on Sunday night are still under investigation but one local mother does know the pain and anger.
'It's heartbreaking,' Kristin Song, President of the Ethan Miller Song Foundation said. 'For me, I take it personally. It's infuriating to me it really is because I understand that journey. It's an unimaginable journey and it could have been prevented with 30 seconds of prevention.'
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Chief Karl Jacobson also calling this tragedy, 'preventable and senseless.'
Police said they found the 8-year-old boy unresponsive on the kitchen floor of his Dewitt Street home just before 11 p.m. He was rushed to Yale-New Haven Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
'He was shot in his house with his family inside,' Assistant Police Chief David Zannelli said. 'We are waiting on other pieces of information like the medical examiner report and other information from the state lab but incredibly heartbreaking and tragic.'
Mayor Justin Elicker said the boy was a New Haven Public School student. His name is not being released at the time.
Officers recovered a gun at the residence and said at this time the shooting appears to be accidental — a term Song cannot stand.
'The word accident drives me crazy because the word accident implies there was nothing the gun owner or that parent could have done to protect that child and we know that's absolutely incorrect unless there's extenuating circumstances,' Song said.
In 2018, her 15-year-old son Ethan accidentally shot and killed himself with an unsecured gun at a friend's home.
'The day after he died, we were supposed to go to New Haven to feed the homeless,' Song said. 'His compassion and his empathy for the vulnerable and marginalized.'
To honor his memory Kristin has been volunteering and advocating for seven years to prevent incidents like Sunday night's.
Ethan's Law requires Connecticut gun owners to secure firearms if a minor is in the home or could gain access to them.
Kristin said her work isn't done.
'There was no way we were going to create a cultural shift in this country,' Song said. 'We need put the accountability on the adults who actually bring the gun into the home. It's your job, not your children's job to make sure those guns are secure and that only your hands can access them.'
Kristin said you can buy a gun safe on Amazon for under 75 dollars and storing a firearm takes 30 seconds.
New Haven Police said criminal charges are possible in this case. They asked anyone with any information to call (203) 946-6316.
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