Dangerous and irresponsible: DO NOT fire your gun into the air July 4th (or any day!)
Noah Inman's parents might never learn who fired the stray bullet that fell to earth and struck their son in the head as he played basketball at a family Fourth of July party in 2017. Witnesses said they saw the 13-year-old from Hammond, Indiana collapse and believed he was having a seizure, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Inman died four days later at a children's hospital in Chicago. The case — now in its sixth year — remains open, but no arrests have been made and police have no suspects.
Firing guns in the air is extremely dangerous, say police. A bullet can travel as high as a mile skyward, and, depending on the caliber of ammunition, can fall as fast as 500 feet per second, which is more than enough to penetrate the human skull.
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"We need to prioritize the well-being of our communities and find safer and more responsible ways to rejoice and commemorate special occasions," said Hammond Police Lt. Steve Kellogg in a message to IndyStar. "Communities across the country have witnessed similar tragic incidents with innocent lives forever altered or lost."
Falling bullets have taken lives like those of Inman in 2017 and 4-year-old Marquel Peters in 2010.
Peters was at church, sitting next to his mother and celebrating the new year, when he was struck by a stray bullet, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The child died the next day in Decatur, Georgia.
Despite the obvious risks, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department answers many "shots fired" calls from residents who misuses firearms with celebratory gunfire.
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"We see a higher number (of calls) around New Year's Eve, Fourth of July, and some other holidays," said IMPD public information officer William Young in a message to IndyStar. "As a gun owner you have a responsibility to not only keep yourself safe, but the community at large, and you must practice good gun safety."
Young encouraged gun owners to take firearm safety courses as well as using locking mechanisms on guns, and keeping them out of the hands of children.
Indianapolis residents can be arrested and charged with criminal recklessness for discharging their weapon in an unsafe manner, Young said. The level 6 felony is “punishable by six months up to two and a half years in jail, and a potential fine of up to $10,000.”
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Firing your gun in the air on July 4th can be lethal. Don't do it.
