By TopTrendReportTv

March 26, 2025

Chicago Father Jailed After Child Uses Unsecured Gun to Kill Another

CHICAGO — A 32-year-old father, Derrick Taylor, has been arrested and is facing charges after his 5-year-old son accidentally shot and killed his 8-year-old child, Josiah Hooker, with a loaded firearm that had been left unsecured in their home.

On March 20, 2025, Taylor allegedly placed a 9mm firearm behind a television set on a low dresser in his bedroom while preparing snacks for his children. He then took a nap, leaving the loaded gun within reach of his children. The children, including Josiah and his younger brothers, were home alone at the time as Taylor’s wife was not present.

According to prosecutors, around 5:20 p.m., Taylor was awakened by a loud noise and discovered that his 5-year-old son had fired the weapon, fatally striking Josiah in the back of the head. Taylor ran outside with Josiah in his arms, and a neighbor called 911 while a mail carrier assisted until paramedics arrived. Josiah was later pronounced dead at Comer Children’s Hospital.

A police report indicated that the 5-year-old also suffered a small facial injury, which appeared to be a graze wound. Taylor has been charged with child endangerment causing death and felon in possession of a weapon due to his previous felony conviction for residential burglary in 2011.

This case follows another recent tragedy in which a 19-year-old was charged after a 14-year-old accidentally shot and killed a 12-year-old while handling a firearm at the 19-year-old’s home. The 14-year-old and several other children were reportedly playing with firearms in the 19-year-old’s bedroom, leading to the fatal shooting of Dalilah Batey.

Prosecutors have emphasized the growing concern over unsecured firearms around children, as both of these incidents highlight the risks posed by irresponsible gun ownership.