BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY— There's a renewed push in Bartholomew County for gun safety from police and parents.
The push comes after an 18-year-old in Hope, Indiana told police he accidentally shot his friend thinking he was using an airsoft gun last week.
The friend ultimately died from his injuries.
Now a group of parents is working to educate people about gun safety.
"It's preventable, it's tragic, it's life-shattering that people have lost their child, or (that) a child has shot somebody accidentally and then they have to grow up in the rest of their lives knowing that they have killed a loved one," said Julie Wagner.
Wagner is a representative from Columbus moms demand action, a group that is advocating for gun safety.
The program Wagner spoke to community members about Thursday was called "Be SMART." Its goal is to educate parents and others about gun safety.
"If you could save a child's life you really have a responsibility to do so," Wagner said.
Representatives with the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office and Columbus Police Department also spoke about gun safety and its importance.
"It takes one bullet. It just takes a very little bit of pressure on a trigger. Once that bullet leaves the gun, it's not going to stop. It's tragic. With carrying a gun comes responsibility," said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew Myers.
Juli Lonaker's family knows all too well the impacts gun safety can have on a family. Her 6-year-old brother accidentally shot their father in 2016. The shooting took James Lonaker's, 62, life.
"He significantly carries that burden, and I don't think any child should," said Juli Lonaker said. "It just really wasn't fair, and the older we get, we realize life's not fair and that's a really hard lesson for a 6-year-old to have to learn so early in life."
Police say the boy got ahold of his dad's revolver and fired a shot.
James Lonaker was sitting on his desk and never saw his son pick up the gun, police say.
"It's difficult and it still is, navigating around that for him at such a young age. He is a wonderful kid. Amazingly talented at basketball. He is a good student, makes good grades," Judi Lonaker said.
She's now an advocate for gun safety.
"Accidents happen all the time. Even with good law-abiding, hard-working families, accidents happen," she said.
If you would like to learn more about the "Be SMART" campaign, click here.
-
County-by-county: Snowfall potential across Central Indiana beginning Thursday
The WRTV Storm Team is breaking down how much snow to expect in your community. Most snow falls Thursday evening into early Friday.
Redistricting bill advances to final Senate vote
A redistricting bill moved to the Senate's final vote without any amendments, but it was a lawmaker's speech — and his claim about protesters — that drew attention from constituents in the hallway.
Clinics start to see increase in abrupt flu-like illnesses
This week's flu report from the state department of health now lists a third death this season from the flu.
Fishers debuts free indoor holiday event Jingle Bell Junction for families
Fishers is bringing holiday magic indoors with its first-ever Jingle Bell Junction, a free winter wonderland event running through the next few days at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater.
