A 14-year-old boy in Charleston, South Carolina, is recovering after being shot in the face by a friend, a 17-year-old who police say pointed a gun and fired. Derrick Simmons lost his left eye and was wounded in the shoulder. His mother says he’s struggling with nightmares and faces surgery for a prosthetic eye. The older teen admitted to the shooting and is facing charges including assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
Police say the case points to a pattern that’s become disturbingly common: teens getting firearms from unlocked vehicles. Kids refer to it as “poking,” where they walk through neighborhoods pulling on car door handles. If the door opens, whatever’s inside is up for grabs, and that includes guns. Advocates say the answer involves both better firearm storage at home and more youth outreach and mentorship in our communities.
For families here on the Suncoast, the takeaway is simple and immediate. Lock your car doors every night, and if you own firearms, store them securely. It’s a small habit with enormous stakes. Have you talked with your kids about what to do if they ever see a gun at a friend’s house? Let us know in the comments, or call in and share your thoughts.
