Police say 10-year-old boy shot himself in Clearwater

Clearwater police are investigating a fatal shooting involving a 10-year-old boy.

According to Clearwater Police Chief Dan Slaughter, the shooting happened at the Lindru Garden Apartments, located at 711 S. Lincoln Ave. Police and paramedics were called to the scene just before 8:30 a.m.

Based on evidence available, investigators believe that the boy fired the lone gunshot in what appears to be a suicide. Ian was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

“It’s a tragedy in all respects,” Slaughter said. “The family is in distress. They are overcome with grief. Clearwater paramedics did everything they could to treat the juvenile but the juvenile did pass away.”

Slaughter added that the handgun involved in the shooting appears to belong to the residents.

The boy’s mother was home at the time of the shooting. According to investigators, she was addressing a behavioral issue as the boy was preparing to go to school. He was sent to a room of the family’s apartment, where he obtained the gun.

Other family members, the father and brother, were not home at the time of the shooting, authorities said.

The investigation is ongoing, and will examine how the firearm was stored in the home.

“There are many angles we will have to look at,” he said. “We will be looking at all potential angles.”

This story was originally published January 5, 2017 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Police say 10-year-old boy shot himself in Clearwater."