4-year-old boy shoots himself in the chest after finding gun in his home

Akia Thomas and Roshad Richardson

A young boy suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest after finding a gun that belonged to his mother’s boyfriend, according to police in Florida. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said that they have arrested 26-year-old Akia Thomas, after being accused of illegally possessing a gun. Thomas has been charged with one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, unsafe storage of a firearm and possession of cocaine. The boy’s mother, 24-year-old Delicia Forte, has not been charged as she was not home at the time of the shooting.
According to the police investigation, Thomas hid his stolen gun under a dresser in the home. 4-year-old Roshad Richardson, who was home alone with Thomas, found the gun under the dresser. The boy pulled the trigger and shot himself in the chest. Richardson was taken to the St. Joseph's Hospital, where he is said to be in stable condition.