Today is January 19.

We are just past the mid-point of the first month of the year and there have already been four children unintentionally shot.

Three of the children were killed.

Two of the shootings happened on the same day.

Two of the shootings were the result of a child pulling the trigger.

Exact details on two of the shootings (who pulled the trigger and their age) were not reported.

All of the victims were under the age of 13.

The youngest shooter was 5-years-old.

“These numbers are very distressing,” said Beth Joslin Roth, policy director for The Safe Tennessee Project. “Four kids shot, three of them killed. Each one of them was preventable. Guns are dangerous, deadly weapons. When adults are careless with them, kids get hurt. Gun owners must be responsible as they handle guns and especially as they store guns.”

January 17, 2017 – Cocke County - FATALITY
The mother of a 12-year-old boy called EMS to report that her son had shot himself. Upon arrival, EMS tried to revive the child but he did not survive.
http://wate.com/2017/01/18/tbi-investigates-death-of-cocke-county-12-year-old/http://wate.com/2017/01/18/tbi-investigates-death-of-cocke-county-12-year-old/

January 17, 2017 – Springfield - INJURY
A 5-year-old found a handgun in a bedroom and fired it, striking the child’s 9-year-old cousin in the arm. No charges have been filed.
http://www.newschannel5.com/news/9-year-old-shot-in-the-arm-by-5-year-old>

January 7, 2017 – Cedar Hill - FATALITY
Reports indicate that an 11-year-old boy who was a month away from turning 12 was killed when a gun “accidentally discharged.” The child sustained a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen and did not survive his injuries. The shooting took place in a field behind the Three Feathers Hunting Preserve and is being called a “hunting accident.” Details on who the shooter was or whether the gunshot was self-inflicted have not yet been released.
http://smokeybarn.com/boy-12-dies-in-hunting-accident-in-cedar-hill/

January 6, 2017 – Jackson - FATALITY
An 11-year-old was shot and killed in a Jackson, Tennessee motel room, according to Jackson Police Department. JPD said its initial investigation suggests the shooting was accidental, but the case remains open. Further details have not yet been released.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/34219090/11-year-old-shot-killed-in-jackson