7-year old Virginia boy killed by July 4 celebratory gunfire

A 7-year old boy, Brendon Mackey, was walking with his father in a parking lot, getting ready to

Brendon Mackey, age 7.

watch fireworks, in Midlothian, Virginia, when he fell to the ground.  

Upon investigation at the hospital, it was found that he had been struck in the top of his head by a bullet, likely fired by someone as a means of celebrating.

Brendon died from his wound.

From an article and news video:

“A large crowd had been gathering over by the reservoir to watch fireworks and a young boy, seven years old, was walking through the parking lot with his dad. He was a few step behind his dad and he [the boy] fell to the ground,” Chesterfield Police Capt. Brad Badgerow said. “Initially they thought he was just passed out. They saw some blood. They thought he may have hit his head.”

But when the child was taken to the hospital, doctors made a startling discovery.
“When medical personnel were treating him, they found what they believe to be a bullet wound in the top of his head,” Badgerow said. 

Police said it is unlikely that the shot was intentionally fired at the boy, and that the bullet likely came from a gun fired off the premises. 

“We don’t think this was an intentional shooting. We think that somebody in or around the Brandermill area was celebrating the Fourth of July. Unfortunately we think they were shooting a gun in a reckless manner and this young boy is a victim,” Badgerow said.

What goes up must come down.  Celebratory gunfire kills.

8-year old Florida boy wounded by celebratory gunfire

An 8-year old boy was watching fireworks with his father in Jacksonville, Florida, when a bullet hit him in the foot.

From an article:

What police are calling likely celebratory gunfire struck the boy in the foot as he waited with his family to see the fireworks display in downtown Jacksonville. 

About 11:55 p.m. the boy and his family were on the Southbank just east of the Main Street bridge when he told his dad something hurt his foot, Lt. Jimmy Judge said. 

“His daddy investigates, digs around in his shoe with his finger and pulls out a bullet,” Judge said. 

The father carried the boy to a nearby officer and he was transported to Shands Jacksonville with non-life-threatening injuries. 

In regards to the gunfire, Judge acknowledged the boy was fortunate. 

“We’ve seen this time and time again,” he said. “Just thank God it didn’t hit the boy in the head.”

Bullets don't know when to stop.

10-year old girl killed by celebratory gunfire in Maryland

Aaliyah Boyer, age 10

A 10-year old girl, Aaliyah Boyer, was setting off fireworks for New Year's in Elkton, Maryland, when she was shot through the top of her head by a bullet from celebratory gunfire.

She eventually died from her wound.

From an article:

The girl, identified by police as Aaliyah Boyer, had been in critical condition on life support at A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital in Wilmington. 

Cecil County Sheriff's Office Lt. Michael Holmes said the girl, a resident of Manheim, Pa., was standing in the yard of a relative's home in the unit block of AJS Court in Elkton, watching neighbors set off fireworks, when she suddenly collapsed. A bullet of unknown caliber had struck her on the top of her head, Holmes said. 

Investigators do not know where the bullet came from and have no suspects. Neighbors have told authorities they heard a lot of fireworks and gunshots at about midnight, about the time the girl was struck. 

"It's our belief that celebratory gunfire caused a wound to the head," Holmes said.
Detectives continue to look for leads for a suspect. 

"It's being treated as a homicide investigation now," Holmes said.

Bullets don't know when to stop.