06-02-2025
Mother wants justice for son shot by hunting rifle inside home
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Gavin Podhorn was in his home on January 23 when he was accidentally shot with a hunting rifle.
'He's got a really big heart,' his mother, Renee Cechvala said.
'He would help anybody at the drop of a hat. He sticks to himself but would help anybody out with anything if they needed it.'
Police records obtained by FOX4 say that James McCubbin was unloading a Remington .30-06 bolt action rifle when it accidentally fired.
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The bullet traveled through two walls and hit Podhorn on the side, said Cechvala. McCubbin drove Podhorn to the hospital in Excelsior Springs to receive treatment before returning to speak with police.
In 2015, McCubbin was charged with felony abuse or neglect of a child in Caldwell County. His felony conviction meant that he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Police documents say that McCubbin attempted to convince his son to take the fall for the shooting, knowing that he would face punishment for possessing a gun.
James McCubbin Jr. told officers about the request before McCubbin Sr. admitted to police unprovoked that he was in possession of the rifle when it went off.
Cechvala said that she was looking for justice.
'He needs to pay for what he's done to my son,' she said about McCubbin.
Cechvala says she's known James, or 'Jimbo' since she was 15, and was always skeptical of him.
'He shouldn't have had that gun in the first place; he's a felon. Then to lie and say your child is the one who did it? It's not okay, he needs to pay for this. It's just wrong.'
Podhorn has received four surgeries in the two weeks since the accident and has damage to his liver, kidney, lungs and more. Podhorn's family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Gavin's medical bills, anyone wanting to help can donate at the link here.
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