Boy, 12, dies after he was accidentally shot by sibling

A 12-year-old boy died after he was accidentally shot by his brother in their Bradenton home Thursday afternoon, police said.

Abraham Luna, 12, died at Manatee Memorial Hospital around 2 p.m. Thursday. Police announced in a statement Thursday night that Luna’s 13-year-old brother accidentally shot him.

Bradenton 911 received an emergency call from the home in the 300 block of 12th Avenue West at 1:09 p.m. Thursday, Bradenton Police Lt. Brian Thiers said.

When officers arrived, they discovered Luna had a gunshot wound after he was shot by another juvenile sibling, later determined to be his older brother, and the officers began lifesaving efforts, according to Thiers.

Family members and witnesses were being interviewed by detectives Thursday afternoon. A police news release described the shooting as accidental. The investigation is ongoing.

With police cars dotting the street, a small crowd of neighbors emerged from their homes as crime scene tape was strung across the intersection of Third Street West and 12th Avenue West on Thursday afternoon. Officers stood outside the house, which is a Bradenton Housing Authority home, as investigators worked inside.

Most of those standing nearby told the Bradenton Herald they didn’t hear anything, but at least one witness at the scene reported that a young child had been taken from the home, and it appeared he had been shot in the head. Police would not comment on the nature of the injury, “only that it’s bad,” said Thiers.

The BHA-owned unit is managed by Bradenton Village, according to Bradenton Village community coordinator Rodney Jones.

Public housing leases have a no-firearms policy. Police confirmed that the children lived in the home.

“We are getting with our attorneys right now because obviously they are going to be evicted,” Jones said. “But right now we are more concerned about the kids.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9300 or Detective Adrian Meridan at 941-932-9326 or email tips to crimetips@cityofbradenton.com.

Police also remind owners of firearms to keep them secure and out of the reach of children.

This story was originally published June 22, 2017 at 2:04 PM with the headline "Boy, 12, dies after he was accidentally shot by sibling."