Tragedy in California: 2-Year-Old Boy Shoots Himself After Finding Gun in Sofa

A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Southern California: a 2-year-old boy accidentally shot himself after discovering a gun hidden between couch cushions. His mother has been arrested. The incident occurred in Highland, a city near San Bernardino.

According to the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, the shooting happened on Thursday at a residence. Deputies arrived at the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the child was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.

The boy's mother, 20-year-old Jamaria Cobb, and her 52-year-old boyfriend, Armand Bright, were inside the home at the time of the tragedy. Both have been arrested on felony child abuse charges and are being held on $1.35 million bail each.

Another child was present in the home and was taken into protective custody by Child and Family Services. The name of the deceased boy has not been released.

Highland is a small city with a population of about 57,000, located east of San Bernardino. Such incidents are unfortunately not uncommon in the U.S., where firearms are often stored in places accessible to children. Statistics show that hundreds of children become victims of accidental shootings each year.

Law enforcement reminds parents to store guns unloaded, locked in safes, with safety mechanisms engaged, and to use trigger locks. This tragedy reignites the debate on safe firearm storage in households with children.

The investigation is ongoing, and further charges may be filed against the parents.