No charges will be filed in shooting death of 3-year-old at central Pa. campground: DA

The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday that no charges are being filed in connection to the 3-year-old boy who was shot and killed at the Tucquan Park Family Campground in October .

The boy – who was visiting central Pennsylvania with his family – was pronounced dead at 8:07 p.m. Oct. 20 from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

The district attorney’s office says the boy’s father went to his truck to get a phone charger to listen to music outside before grabbing his holstered 9mm gun from the truck to properly store in the camper’s bedroom.

The father charged his phone in the camper before going to store the firearm, but then realized the music was not working on the camper’s outside speakers. He briefly set down the gun on a collapsed dining room table and walked a few steps to the outside wall to turn on the speakers before he heard a “pop,” moments later, according to the DA’s office.

The 3-year-old boy – who was found next to the 9mm gun and holster with a gunshot through his left eye – was reportedly running around the inside of camper while his dad was trying to fix the music and set the firearm down, the DA’s office said.

Investigators say the 9mm gun and a rifle found in the camper were both legally owned and reported and there were no signs of drugs or alcohol being involved.

The district attorney’s office decided the lapse in judgment that took place ultimately caused the child’s death, but did not meet the standards of criminal activity due to the intent and circumstances.

The names of the involved individuals will not be released because no criminal charges are being filed, according to a press release.