Deadly Game Turns Fatal: 14-Year-Old Shot and Killed as Teens Allegedly Point Gun at Each Other
A 14-year-old boy has died following what police described as a tragic and preventable shooting inside a home in Arlington, raising serious concerns about child safety and access to firearms.
According to the Arlington Police Department, officers responded to a shooting call at about 10:31 p.m. on Sausalito Drive. When they arrived, they found 14-year-old Riley Jordan unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, the affected person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said evidence suggests Riley and other children at the home had gained access to a firearm and were handling it when it discharged. Police believe the children were pointing the weapon at one another when it went off, fatally striking the affected person.
The child who pulled the trigger has been taken into custody and transported to the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center on a manslaughter charge. Authorities have not released the child’s name due to his age. In child rights terms, the child is considered a child in conflict with the law.
From a safeguarding perspective, the incident highlights the grave risks associated with unsecured firearms in homes where children are present. Experts consistently warn that safe storage practices, including keeping guns locked and unloaded with ammunition stored separately, are critical protective measures.
Advocates say the tragedy underscores the shared responsibility of caregivers and communities to prevent children’s access to deadly weapons and to strengthen awareness around supervision, safety education and responsible firearm storage.
