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.
-
Wawa to celebrate three grand openings in Indiana this May
Wawa, Inc. is excited to announce the grand opening of three new locations in Indiana this May. The company plans to open up to ten stores across Indiana this year.
Potential tariffs impacting car sales, is renting cheap
It's the usual time people start buying cars for the warmer season, but experts say some of the increased sales are due to potential tariffs that would increase the price of a car by 25 percent.
IMSA North senior collects nearly $1 million in college scholarship offers
A graduating senior from Indiana Math and Science Academy North has been awarded nearly $1 million in scholarship offers from 15 colleges and universities nationwide.
Arrest reported by Alexander family as investigation continues into fatal crash
The family of Mason Alexander has reported that an arrest has been made in connection with the crash that claimed the life of the young football player.
