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Boy, 4, fatally shoots himself with gun found in Tampa home

 
Tampa police are investigating the shooting death Sunday evening of a boy in this home at 1020 E Hanna Ave. in Tampa. Ashton Gooding was seriously injured after he discharged the gun, police said, and later died at a hospital. [PAUL GUZZO   |   Staff]
Tampa police are investigating the shooting death Sunday evening of a boy in this home at 1020 E Hanna Ave. in Tampa. Ashton Gooding was seriously injured after he discharged the gun, police said, and later died at a hospital. [PAUL GUZZO | Staff]
Published July 31, 2017

TAMPA — A 4-year-old boy died Sunday after Tampa Police say he accidentally shot himself with a gun he found in his home.

Tampa police, responding to 1020 E Hanna Ave. around 5:45 p.m., say Ashton Gooding was seriously injured after he discharged the gun.

The child was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he later died.

TIMES INVESTIGATION: A child is shot in Florida every 17 hours

The State Attorney's Office and Tampa Police Department are investigating the shooting, and will determine whether charges will be filed.

Neighbors said Ashton and his mother Ashanti Lauren Taylor have lived in the home for about a year but like others in the neighborhood, kept largely to themselves.

According to documents filed in Hillsborough County's Family Law Division, Taylor had primary custody of Ashton and the father is James Eugene Gooding.

Tampa police said Monday morning they planned to release more details once they have reviewed the case.

This is a developing story. Stay with tampabay.com for updates.