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Father Who Accidentally Shot And Killed Son: ‘Gun Didn’t Kill My Boy. I Did’

By Heather Tooley
Published on: 03:37 PST, Jul 5, 2016

The Father who accidentally shot and killed his son at a Florida gun range says, “The gun didn’t kill my boy. I did.”

Stephen Brumby, 14, was tragically killed in a freak accident at High Noon Gun Range on Sunday while target practicing with his father, William Clayton Brumby.

William and his son were shooting when suddenly a shell casing hit a wall, then fell down the back of his son’s shirt. While trying to remove it, the father reached behind his back with the hand that was holding his gun, and it fired a round. The bullet hit the ceiling and then struck his son. The teen later died at the hospital.

Two other siblings of Stephen’s were present during the shooting, but they were uninjured.

William Brumby’s son had a lot of hobbies, such as fishing, playing tennis, and playing the piano. He enjoyed target shooting as well. Learning how to handle guns was something his father wanted all of the kids to understand.

“We wanted our kids to be aware of guns,” William Brumby tells CNN. “I wanted them to be comfortable around them and understand them.”

The grieving father says he takes responsibility for what happened at the gun range in Sarasota, explaining that it was a “freak accident,” and he made a “mistake.”

“Every round in the gun is your responsibility,” Mr. Brumby continues. “When it fires you need to stand to account for it. That’s what I’ve spent the last two days doing, accounting for my operating error.”

Stephen’s entire family is grieving his loss. The teen had a lot going for him, and the pain of knowing they will never see him again is unimaginable. His father describes his son in glowing detail, speaking about how he was always helping his mother fix things and how he helped one of his sisters who had spina bifida. The young man was also beginning to take an interest in the bigger questions in life, according to the report. He was being homeschooled, and there were hopes that he was going to attend college like his other older siblings. Stephen was one of seven children.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and has listened to witness accounts and reviewed video footage of the incident. No charges have been brought against the teen’s father, ABC News reports.

An online fundraiser has been set up through GoFundMe for funeral expenses and other costs. The goal is $50,000, and over $20,000 has been raised so far. Stephen’s bio reads as follows.

“Stephen Brumby, the fourth of seven children and the son of Clayton and Elizabeth Brumby died tragically July 3rd 2016. In his 14 years of life he was described as ‘a meteor that couldn’t be contained’ by his family or anyone that knew him. He loved fishing, tennis music, archery, and knife throwing. He had an insatiable appetite to learn and was constantly sharing his wisdom with those around him. He was passionate about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and dedicated his life to sharing his hope with everyone he met. The families’ only comfort is knowing that He is communing with the heroes of his faith and rejoicing in paradise.”

“Your generous gifts and donations will help with the expenses the family is now faced with. Help spread the word!”

Has the horrific shooting changed William Brumby’s view on guns? Apparently, it has not. He plans to still keep them in the house and use them for self-defense of his home and family.

[Photo via Shutterstock]

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